How to Say "Background" in Chinese

背景

bèijǐng

The English phrase "background" can be translated into Chinese as 背景 (bèijǐng).

背景 is used to describe both the physical scenery in a picture and a person's professional or social history.

Meaning: part of picture (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The word consists of 背 (back) and 景 (scenery/view).

In Mainland China, 背景 is the most commonly used term for background.

bèijǐng

Although many people assume it is an ancient Chinese term, 背景 is actually a loanword from Japanese known as 'Wasei kango'. It was imported into Chinese to describe modern concepts during the early 20th century.
In Chinese social contexts, having a 'strong' 背景 often implies having powerful family or political connections, rather than just a good resume.
The character 背 in 背景 can be pronounced as 'bèi' for 'back' or 'bēi' when it means 'to carry on one's back'.

Tom有獸醫背景。
Tom has a veterinary background.
This sentence is useful for showing how to describe a person's professional background using 背景.
Tatoeba #4504477 by egg0073, translation #4493586 by CK
图片的背景是一座城堡。
There is a castle in the background of the picture.
This sentence is useful for describing the physical scenery in the background of a picture using 背景.
Tatoeba #1426555 by sadhen, translation #49018 by CK
我有丰富的工作背景。
I have a strong work background.
他的身世非常复杂。
His background is very complicated.
这家公司的来头不小。
This company has quite an influential background.
这张照片的背景很漂亮。
Zhè zhāng zhàopiàn de bèijǐng hěn piàoliang.
The background of this photo is very beautiful.
1 more sentence on Tatoeba

Two friends are looking at a newly printed photo.

梓涵 Zihan

浩然，你看这张照片。
Hàorán, nǐ kàn zhè zhāng zhàopiàn.
Haoran, look at this photo.
浩然 Haoran

这张照片的背景是什么？
Zhè zhāng zhàopiàn de bèijǐng shì shénme?
What is the background of this photo?
梓涵 Zihan

背景是一片蓝色的海洋。
Bèijǐng shì yīpiàn lán sè de hǎiyáng.
The background is a blue ocean.
浩然 Haoran

真的很美。
Zhēn de hěn měi.
It is truly beautiful.

Sources

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