背面

• Pinyin: bèi miàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 背 = 北 (north/back) + 月 (flesh radical); 面 = face/surface pictograph

Meaning

Back; reverse side; back surface. The opposite of the front.

The rear or reverse side of an object, document, or surface. Opposite of 正面 (front side). Used for physical objects, pages, coins, and figuratively for hidden aspects.

Examples

1. 请在表格背面签名。 Please sign on the back of the form.
2. 这幅画的背面写着画家的名字和创作日期。 The back of this painting has the artist's name and creation date written on it.
3. 硬币的背面印着什么图案？ What design is printed on the back of the coin?

Usage Guide

Context: instructions, descriptions, directions

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 翻到背面看。(Flip it over and look at the back.)
• 背面有说明。(There are instructions on the back.)

Don't Say

• 把人的后背叫'背面' (Don't use 背面 for a person's back — use 后背 or 背部 for body parts)

Origin & History

背 (back) + 面 (surface/side). The back surface.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal