Chinese word

背

Pronunciation

Pinyinbèi

Meaning

  • nounback

Example

他的背很痛。tā de bèi hěn tòng

His back hurts a lot.

Illustration for 背 (back)

More examples

他低头，用手摸了摸自己的背。tā dī tóu yòng shǒu mō le mō zì jǐ de bèi

He lowered his head and rubbed his back with his hand.

Core concept

A rear support that bears weight physically and holds words ready in the mind.

Common phrases

  • 后背hòu bèi

    back

  • 背部bèi bù

    back

  • 背痛bèi tòng

    back pain

Similar words

后面hòu miàn: The place or position behind a person or thing.
背部bèi bù: A somewhat formal term for the back of the body between the neck and the waist.

Definition in Chinese

人的身体后部、连接颈与腰的部位，一般称为背脊或背部。rén de shēn tǐ hòu bù lián jiē jǐng yǔ yāo de bù wèi yì bān chēng wéi bèi jǐ huò bèi bù

Word origin

背 (bèi, "back") is formed from 月 (yuè, "flesh") and 北 (běi, "north") as a sound component, and its body sense extends to carrying something on the back and keeping words in memory.

Usage tips

  • Tone separates two common verbs: bèi means memorize, while bēi means carry, so the tone mark changes the action.

Other meanings

  • carryverb
  • memorizeverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word