背

揹
bēi, bèi
北 + 月
HSK 2.0Level 5
HSK 3.0Level 4

Definitions

bēi (verb) to carry on the back; to carry on shoulders
bèi (noun) back (of body or object)
bèi (verb) to turn one's back; to hide from
bèi (verb) to memorize; to learn by heart

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. ⺼ represents the meaning and 北 represents the sound.

Semantic: ⺼ Phonetic: 北

About

背 is a phono-semantic compound: the flesh radical 月 gives the meaning related to the body, while 北 provides the sound. 北 originally depicted two people standing back-to-back, which also suggests the back of the torso. The character primarily means the physical back, and extends to verbal senses such as carrying on the back, turning one's back, or memorizing by heart.

Example Sentences Hide

我的后背很疼。

Wǒ de hòubèi hěn téng.

My back hurts a lot.

他背上背着一个背包。

Tā bèi shang bēi zhe yīgè bēibāo.

He is carrying a backpack on his back.

请你背诵这首诗。

Qǐng nǐ bèisòng zhè shǒu shī.

Please recite this poem.

这幅画的背景很美。

Zhè fú huà de bèijǐng hěn měi.

The background of this painting is very beautiful.

他永远不会背叛朋友。

Tā yǒngyuǎn bù huì bèipàn péngyǒu.

He will never betray his friends.

这次事故，他来背黑锅。

Zhè cì shìgù, tā lái bēi hēiguō.

He will be the scapegoat for this accident.

你的行为和你的承诺背道而驰。

Nǐ de xíngwéi hé nǐ de chéngnuò bèidào'érchí.

Your actions run counter to your promises.

他背对着窗户，陷入了沉思。

Tā bèi duì zhe chuānghù, xiànrùle chénsī.

He turned his back to the window, lost in thought.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

褙 偝 揹

Component: 北

乘 燕 乖 冀 邶 丠 兠 埀 鉳 鷰

Component: 月

有 明 月 期 望 服 青 朝 育 脸 股 脑 胜 脚

Example Words

背叛 背影 背后 背景 后背 手背 背井离乡 背包 背包客 背地 背对 背带 背带裤 背心 背时 背书 背弃 背水一战 背诵 背负 背道而驰 背部 背离 背面