后面

• Pinyin: hòu miàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 后 = simplified form of 後, meaning behind/after; 面 = pictograph of a face, extended to mean side or surface

Meaning

Behind; at the back; rear. Indicates a position or location to the rear of something.

Used to describe physical location (behind a building), sequence (later in a text or speech), or time (afterwards). Interchangeable with 后边 in spoken Chinese. Can also be used figuratively to mean 'later' in a narrative or conversation.

Examples

1. 学校后面有一个小公园。 There is a small park behind the school.
2. 请你坐在后面的座位上。 Please sit in the seat at the back.
3. 后面的内容更有意思。 The content later on is more interesting.

Usage Guide

Context: location, direction, everyday

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 超市在银行后面。(The supermarket is behind the bank.)
• 我在你后面，你看到我了吗？(I'm behind you, can you see me?)

Don't Say

• 他比我后面高。(Don't use 后面 to compare height — 后面 refers to spatial or sequential position, not comparison. Say 他比我高.)

Origin & History

Compound of 后 (behind, after) and 面 (face, side, surface). Together they form a directional noun meaning 'the back side.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal