背

• Pinyin: bèi
• Hanzi breakdown: 背 (bèi/bēi) — back of the body; to recite from memory (bèi); to carry on one's back (bēi)

Meaning

To recite from memory; to memorize; to carry on one's back.

Has two main meanings depending on pronunciation: bèi = to memorize and recite; bēi = to carry on one's back. In academic contexts the memorization meaning is more common.

Examples

1. 老师让我们背这首古诗。 The teacher asked us to memorize this ancient poem.
2. 他每天背五个新单词。 He memorizes five new vocabulary words every day.
3. 小孩子背着书包去上学。 The child carries a school bag on their back to school.

Usage Guide

Context: studying, memorizing vocabulary, reciting poems, carrying objects

Tone: neutral, academic

Do Say

• 你背下来了吗？(Have you memorized it?)
• 我需要背这段课文。(I need to memorize this passage.)

Don't Say

• Do not confuse the two pronunciations: 背 (bèi) = to recite/memorize; 背 (bēi) = to carry on the back. Using the wrong tone changes the meaning entirely.

Origin & History

The character 背 combines 北 (north, originally two people back to back) and 月/肉 (flesh/body), giving the sense of the back of the body.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal