背叛

• Pinyin: bèi pàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 背 = 北 (north/back) + 月 (flesh); 叛 = 半 (half) + 反 (reverse/rebel)

Meaning

To betray; to turn against. To abandon loyalty or allegiance.

A serious breach of trust or loyalty, whether in personal relationships, organizations, or nations. Implies deliberate disloyalty and often carries strong moral condemnation. Can be used for betraying people, principles, or causes.

Examples

1. 他背叛了朋友的信任，把秘密告诉了对手。 He betrayed his friend's trust by revealing the secret to their rival.
2. 背叛祖国是不可饶恕的罪行。 Betraying one's country is an unforgivable crime.
3. 她发现丈夫出轨后，觉得这是最深的背叛。 When she discovered her husband's affair, she felt it was the deepest betrayal.

Usage Guide

Context: relationships, politics, morality

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 他背叛了我们。(He betrayed us.)
• 这是赤裸裸的背叛。(This is outright betrayal.)

Don't Say

• 对小分歧说'背叛' (Don't use 背叛 for minor disagreements — it implies serious breach of trust)

Origin & History

背 (to turn one's back on) + 叛 (to rebel/betray). To turn one's back and rebel.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal