背着

• Pinyin: bēi zhe
• Hanzi breakdown: 背 = back; 着 = continuous aspect particle

Meaning

Carrying on one's back; behind someone's back; without someone's knowledge.

Has two distinct meanings: (1) physically carrying something on the back, and (2) doing something secretly without someone's knowledge. Context determines which meaning applies.

Examples

1. 他背着一个很大的登山包，看起来很专业。 He's carrying a very large mountaineering backpack — he looks very professional.
2. 她背着父母偷偷谈恋爱，最后还是被发现了。 She dated secretly behind her parents' backs, but was eventually discovered.
3. 别背着我说坏话，有什么意见当面说。 Don't talk badly about me behind my back — if you have any opinions, say them to my face.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, secrecy

Tone: varies

Do Say

• 他背着书包去上学。(He goes to school carrying a backpack on his back.)
• 不要背着我做决定。(Don't make decisions behind my back.)

Don't Say

• 注意'背着'的声调 (Note the tone of 背着 — when meaning 'carrying on back,' 背 is first tone (bēi); when meaning 'behind someone's back,' it can be pronounced bèi in some regions)

Origin & History

From 背 (back) + aspect particle 着, with meanings derived from carrying on the back and turning one's back to someone.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal