背

揹
bēi
#785 most
frequent character
variant of 背[bei1]

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
褙

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Same Characters, Different Readings

背bēi
to be burdened, to carry on the back or shoulder
HSK 3
背bèi
the back of a body or object

Homophones

杯bēi
cup
碑bēi
monument, stele
悲bēi
sad, sadness, sorrow, grief
背bēi
to be burdened, to carry on the back or shoulder

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