背后

• Pinyin: bèi hòu
• Hanzi breakdown: 背 = 北 (north/back) + 月 (flesh/body), meaning back; 后 = simplified from 後, meaning behind

Meaning

Behind; at the back; behind one's back. Can refer to physical location or figurative secretiveness.

Literally means behind someone or something. Figuratively, it often implies doing something secretly or the hidden story behind events. 在背后说人坏话 (talking bad about someone behind their back) is a common expression.

Examples

1. 不要在别人背后说坏话。 Don't talk badly about others behind their backs.
2. 这件事的背后有一个感人的故事。 There is a touching story behind this event.
3. 他站在我背后，我都没发现。 He was standing behind me and I didn't even notice.

Usage Guide

Context: social, narrative, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 每个成功的人背后都有很多努力。(Behind every successful person is a lot of hard work.)
• 他总是在背后帮助别人。(He always helps others behind the scenes.)

Don't Say

• 我的背后很疼 (For physical back pain, say 我的背很疼 or 我后背疼 — 背后 is more about location 'behind' than the body part itself)

Origin & History

Compound of 背 (back) and 后 (behind, after), meaning behind or at the rear.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal