背
bèi/peɪ̯⁵¹/
In Chinese, 'back' is expressed as 背 (bèi). Wiktionary also lists 背部 (bèibù) and 脊背 (jǐbèi).
Meaning: the rear of body (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 背 | bèi | /peɪ̯⁵¹/ (Mandarin, Standard Chinese, Sinological IPA) /pei²¹³/ (Mandarin, Chengdu, Sinological IPA) |
|
| 背部 | bèibù | /peɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹/ (Mandarin, Standard Chinese, Sinological IPA) /puːi̯³³ pou̯²²/ (Cantonese, Guangzhou, Sinological IPA, Standard Cantonese, Hong Kong) |
|
| 脊背 | jǐbèi | /t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ peɪ̯⁵¹/ (Mandarin, Standard Chinese, Sinological IPA) /t͡ɕi²⁴ pei⁴⁴/ (Mandarin, Dungan, Sinological IPA) |
|
| 尻脊 | kha-chiah, ka-chiah | /ka⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siaʔ³²/ (Min Nan, Hokkien, Xiamen, Quanzhou, Singapore, Sinological IPA) /ka³³ t͡siaʔ⁵/ (Min Nan, Hokkien, Xiamen, Quanzhou, Singapore, Sinological IPA) |
Hokkien |
The word refers to the rear part of the body. When describing a physical sensation of pain in the back, you can combine the noun 背 with the verb 疼 (téng) to form the phrase 背疼 (bèiténg), meaning back pain.
Which one should you use?
While 背 is the common word for back, 背部 is a more formal or medical term used to refer to the back as an anatomical region. 脊背 specifically emphasizes the spine or the physical structure of the back and is often used in more descriptive or literary contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Dungan language, the word for back is җибый. In Hokkien, the term is 尻脊 (kha-chiah or ka-chiah).
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is bèi and the IPA is /peɪ̯⁵¹/.
Did you know?
- In ancient Chinese, the character for the body part 背 was written as 北, which also means 'north'. A meat radical was added later to distinguish the anatomy from the cardinal direction.
- The word 背 can be a verb meaning 'to betray' or 'to turn one's back on someone'. This creates a direct linguistic link between the anatomy of the back and the act of treason.
- The term 背 is used in the phrase 背水一战, which describes a desperate fight with one's back to a river. It is a common idiom for having no choice but to win because there is no retreat.
Examples in context
- 請幫我洗背。Please wash my back.This sentence uses 背 to ask for help with washing.Tatoeba #4493478 by egg0073, translation #282468 by CK
- 我的背還在痛。My back still hurts.This sentence uses 背 to describe a physical sensation of pain.Tatoeba #4493480 by egg0073, translation #282462 by CK
- 他背疼，不能弯腰。He has back pain, he can't bend over.This sentence uses 背 to explain a physical limitation caused by pain.Tatoeba #3365336 by go_oo, translation #7772884 by sharris123
- 小明几点回来？What time will Xiao Ming come back?
- 战士们凯旋归来，受到热烈欢迎。The soldiers returned in triumph and were warmly welcomed.
- 我想回去了，你们还要继续吗？I want to go back, do you want to continue?
- 下班后我就要回家。I'll go back home after work.
- 31 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a person's physical injury.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen他的背受傷了嗎？Tā de bèi shòushāng le ma?Is his back injured?
- 志强 Zhiqiang對，他的背很紅。Duì, tā de bèi hěn hóng.Yes, his back is very red.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen那他背還疼嗎？Nà tā bèi hái téng ma?Does his back still hurt then?
- 志强 Zhiqiang現在背已經不疼了。Xiànzài bèi yǐjīng bù téng le.His back doesn't hurt anymore now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “back” translations and entries 背, 背部, 脊背, 尻脊, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 背, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
