背后

bèi hòu

behind; at the back; in the rear

HSK Level 3

Example Sentences

他背后有一条蛇。

tā bèi hòu yǒu yī tiáo shé .

There's a snake on his back.

她在背后说我的坏话。

Tā zài bèihòu shuō wǒ de huàihuà.

She talked bad about me behind my back.

这座山背后有一片森林。

Zhè zuò shān bèihòu yǒu yī piàn sēnlín.

There is a forest behind this mountain.

Synonyms

后面 (hòumian)

behind

后头 (hòutou)

behind

Antonyms

正面 (zhèngmiàn)

front

前面 (qiánmiàn)

front

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Etymology & Components

The Chinese word 背后 (bèihòu) is composed of two characters: 背 (bèi), meaning "back", and 后 (hòu), meaning "behind". Together, they literally mean "behind the back". This word can be used in a variety of contexts, but it often has a negative connotation, implying secrecy or deception. For example, someone who is said to be 背后捅刀 (bèihòu tǒng dāo) is literally "stabbing someone in the back", meaning that they are betraying or harming someone who trusts them.The word 背后 can also be used in a more neutral sense, simply to refer to the area behind something. For example, the phrase 背后有鬼 (bèihòu yǒu guǐ) literally means "there is a ghost behind", but it is often used figuratively to mean that there is something hidden or unknown that is causing problems.Overall, the word 背后 is a versatile word with a variety of meanings, but it is often used to refer to something negative or hidden.