背
bèi
HSK 3
#785 most
frequent character
the back of a body or object
noun
verb
Character breakdown
Source: Make Me a Hanzi.
背 began as 北, a drawing of two people standing back to back, so it first meant a person's back. When 北 was borrowed for 'north', ⺝ meat was added to keep the body sense clear. The meaning widened to carry on the back, then to recite, and to turn against someone.
Drawn as: two people back-to-back
背 as a component in other characters
sound1 character
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Example Sentences
他的背很广，能背许多东西。
tāde bèi hěn guǎng ， néng bèi xǔduō dōngxī 。
His back is broad and can carry many things.
请你背诵这首诗。
qǐng nǐ bèisòng zhè shǒu shī 。
Please recite this poem from memory.
我背对着你，所以听不见。
wǒ bèi duì zháo nǐ ， suǒyǐ tīng bújiàn 。
I'm facing away from you, so I can't hear.
Words with similar meanings
Words Starting With 背
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