Chinese word

走后门

Pronunciation

Pinyinzǒu hòu mén

Meaning

  • verbpull strings

Example

他通过走后门进了那家公司。tā tōng guò zǒu hòu mén jìn le nà jiā gōng sī

He got into that company by pulling strings.

Illustration for 走后门 (pull strings)

More examples

如果领导都走后门，公平性就会受到质疑。rú guǒ líng dǎo dōu zǒu hòu mén gōng píng xìng jiù huì shòu dào zhì yí

If all the leaders use connections, fairness will be questioned.

Core concept

A privileged passage opened through private connections instead of the entrance meant for everyone.

Common phrases

  • 走后门拿到名额zǒu hòu mén ná dào míng é

    obtain a place through connections

  • 靠走后门谋利kào zǒu hòu mén móu lì

    rely on connections to make a profit

Similar words

走关系zǒu guān xì: Work through personal ties to obtain better treatment in work or daily life.
拉关系lā guān xì: Cultivate relationships with important people to gain help or favorable treatment.
靠关系kào guān xì: Depend on personal connections to get opportunities or other benefits.
托关系tuō guān xì: Have a third party ask someone to arrange an opportunity or favor.

Definition in Chinese

借助关系或私下安排，通过非公开渠道取得本应公开分配的机会或便利。jiè zhù guān xì huò sī xià ān pái tōng guò fēi gōng kāi qú dào qǔ dé běn yīng gōng kāi fēn pèi de jī huì huò biàn lì

Word origin

走后门 (zǒuhòumén, "go through the back door") joins 走 (zǒu, "go") and 后门 (hòumén, "back door") to picture access gained through an unofficial entrance rather than the main route.

Usage tips

  • The phrase normally points to a questionable bypass, not simply help from a friend, so context matters when describing an introduction or recommendation.

Other meanings

  • use the back doorverb

Opposites

  • 靠本事kào běn shìrely on one's own abilityverb

Related words

  • 走后门儿zǒu hòu ménruse connectionsverb

Word lists with this word