背景
haikei[ha̠ike̞ː]
The English word 'background' is translated into Japanese as 背景 (haikei).
背景 is the standard and most widely understood term for 'background' in Japanese. Other words for 'background' exist depending on the context: 経歴 can also refer to one's background, especially in terms of professional experience and education, while 沿革 refers to the historical background or development of a subject. For providing context or relevant background information for a topic, the phrase 背景情報 is used.
Meaning: part of picture (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 背景 is composed of the kanji 背 (back) and 景 (scene/view).
Which one should you use?
The loanword バックグラウンド is often used in computing and digital design contexts, such as for 'background processes' or 'background colors'.
How do you pronounce it?
haikei
Did you know?
- The kanji 背 in 背景 is also the character used for 'spine' or 'back' of the body, which helps a learner visualize the 'back' aspect of the word.
- While 背景 describes a scene, the word 経歴 for a professional background literally translates to 'the path of one's experience'.
- The word 背景 can be used to describe the social or political climate leading up to an event, not just a visual scene. In this context, it describes the invisible 'forces' that shaped a situation.
Examples in context
- 写真の背景にいる男は誰ですか？Who is that man in the background of the picture?This sentence is useful for asking about a person appearing in the 背景 of a photo.Tatoeba #149255 by KK_kaku_, translation #265303 by CK
- 木々を背景に写真を撮る。We take photos with the trees in the background.This sentence shows how to use 背景 when taking photos with something in the background.Tatoeba #6798412 by Ishao, translation #6798420 by Ishao
- 一番下の背景レイヤーを消去します。Remove the lower-most background layer.This sentence demonstrates using 背景 in the context of a digital layer.Tatoeba #370043 by Trank, translation #542627 by blay_paul
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Hiroto are looking at a photo on a phone.
- 美咲 Misakiこの写真、背景がとても綺麗ですね。Kono shashin, haikei ga totemo kirei desu ne.The background of this photo is very beautiful, isn't it?
- 大翔 Hirotoそうだね。どこで撮ったのかな。Sou da ne. Doko de totta no kana.You're right. I wonder where it was taken.
- 美咲 Misaki背景に海が見えますね。Haikei ni umi ga miemasu ne.You can see the ocean in the background.
- 大翔 Hiroto本当だ。いい場所だね。Hontou da. Ii basho da ne.You're right. It's a nice place.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “background” translations and entries 背景, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
