走后门

• Pinyin: zǒu hòu mén
• Hanzi breakdown: 走 (walk/go); 后 = 彳+ 口 (behind/back); 门 = 门 (door)

Meaning

To use the back door; to get something through connections or bribery rather than legitimate channels. Exploiting personal relationships or corrupt means to gain unfair advantage.

A widely understood colloquial metaphor for nepotism, corruption, and the use of guanxi (关系) to bypass formal rules. Condemned in public discourse but acknowledged as a widespread social reality in various contexts.

Examples

1. 该企业负责人承认，公司曾通过走后门的方式获得政府合同。 The company's executive admitted the company had used backdoor connections to obtain government contracts.
2. 在竞争激烈的就业市场中，依靠走后门谋取职位的现象屡见不鲜。 In a highly competitive job market, cases of using connections to land a position are far from rare.
3. 教育部门明确规定，任何人不得通过走后门方式干预招生录取结果。 The education department clearly states that no one may use backdoor connections to interfere with admissions decisions.

Usage Guide

Context: corruption, social commentary, employment, governance

Tone: critical

Do Say

• 他的晋升完全凭借真才实学，从未走过后门。(His promotion was entirely based on genuine ability — he never used backdoor connections.)
• 相关部门正在严查走后门谋取学位的违规行为。(The relevant authorities are strictly investigating violations involving obtaining degrees through backdoor means.)

Don't Say

• 从后门走出去 — this literally means to exit through the back door; only 走后门 as a set phrase carries the figurative sense of corruption

Origin & History

Metaphor: 走 (go through) + 后门 (back door) — entering via the back door to avoid official scrutiny

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal