About
The character "背" structurally integrates the component "北", which originally carried the conceptual sense of the back through its representation of two figures positioned away from each other, combined with "月", a variant of the meat radical that specifies its bodily association, thus initially denoting the physical rear of the human torso. Over time, its semantic range broadened from this concrete noun to encompass verbal actions such as carrying something upon one's back, which naturally extended into more abstract applications like turning away from or opposing, as evident in terms denoting betrayal. Concurrently, it acquired the sense of reciting from memory, a meaning derived from the customary practice of repetition without direct visual reference, thereby reflecting a cognitive turning away from written text. Despite these evolved usages, the character's compositional form has persisted without substantial alteration, maintaining a consistent visual connection to its foundational elements and their inherent meanings.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我的后背很疼。
他背上背着一个背包。
请你背诵这首诗。
这幅画的背景很美。
他永远不会背叛朋友。
这次事故，他来背黑锅。
你的行为和你的承诺背道而驰。
他背对着窗户，陷入了沉思。