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.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

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:

Component: 北

Component: 月

背