后盾

• Pinyin: hòu dùn
• Hanzi breakdown: 后 — rear; 盾 = 彳+ 目 + 十 — a shield (pictographic element: rectangular defensive object with eye-shaped decoration)

Meaning

Backup support; backing; a strong support behind one. Literally: a shield from the rear.

Figuratively refers to an entity — a person, organisation, or institution — that provides reliable support and protection from behind. Common in political, military, business, and personal contexts. 强大的后盾 (a powerful backing) is a frequent collocation. The metaphor evokes the image of someone protecting you from behind.

Examples

1. 家人的理解与支持是她在艰难岁月中坚持前行的最坚实的后盾。 Her family’s understanding and support were the strongest backing that kept her moving forward through difficult years.
2. 这家初创公司背后有几家知名风险投资机构作为后盾，资金方面不存在太大的压力。 This startup is backed by several well-known venture capital firms, so there isn’t much financial pressure.
3. 国家强大的军事力量是维护边疆稳定和国家主权的重要后盾。 A strong national military is an important pillar for maintaining border stability and safeguarding national sovereignty.

Usage Guide

Context: support, business, politics, military, personal relationships

Tone: positive

Do Say

• 员工们知道工会会作为他们强有力的后盾，在劳资纠纷中保护他们的合法权益，因此谈判时腰板更硬了。(Knowing that the union would act as their powerful backer and protect their legitimate rights in any labour dispute, the employees negotiated with far greater confidence.)
• 良好的信用记录是他在银行申请贷款时最有力的后盾，使他能够顺利获得较低的利率和较高的额度。(A strong credit history was his most powerful asset when applying for a bank loan, enabling him to secure a lower interest rate and a higher credit limit without difficulty.)

Don't Say

• 后盾 for a physical object used as protection — the word is used exclusively in the figurative sense of a person or institution that provides backing; use 防护 or 保障 for physical protection mechanisms

Origin & History

后 (behind; rear) + 盾 (shield) — a shield positioned at one's back, providing protection from the rear

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional to Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal