back
Meaning: The rear part of the body; to or towards a previous position
'Back' as a noun refers to the rear part of the body or an object. As an adverb, it indicates return ('come back') or a previous time ('think back'). As a verb, it means to support ('back a candidate') or move backwards. It appears in phrasal verbs like 'back up', 'back down', and 'get back'.
Examples
- My back hurts from sitting all day. 坐了一整天我的背好痛。Me duele la espalda de estar sentado todo el día.一日中座っていたので背中が痛い。하루 종일 앉아 있어서 허리가 아파요.
- I will be back in five minutes. 我五分钟后回来。Volveré en cinco minutos.5分後に戻ります。5분 후에 돌아올게요.
- She backed the car into the garage. 她把车倒进了车库。Ella metió el coche en el garaje marcha atrás.彼女は車をガレージにバックで入れた。그녀는 차를 후진으로 차고에 넣었다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: general
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Old English 'bæc', meaning 'the rear part of the body', from Proto-Germanic *bakam. Cognate with Old Norse 'bak' and German 'Backe' (cheek). Its adverbial sense of 'returning' developed in Middle English.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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