背景
bèijǐng
The Chinese word for context is 背景 (bèijǐng). If unsure, use 背景. Wiktionary also lists 場合 / 场合 (chǎnghé) and 情況 / 情况 (qíngkuàng).
Meaning: circumstances or settings (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 背景 | bèijǐng |
| 場合 / 场合 | chǎnghé |
| 情況 / 情况 | qíngkuàng |
| 環境 / 环境 | huánjìng |
背景 also means background, and is used for the background or circumstances of a story, event or decision.
Which one should you use?
情況 / 情况 means situation or circumstances, 環境 / 环境 means environment or surroundings and 場合 / 场合 means occasion or setting. For the context of a word inside a text, Chinese uses a different word meaning the text above and below.
How do you pronounce it?
In pinyin it is bèijǐng, with a fourth tone on the first syllable and a third tone on the second.
Did you know?
- The word 背景 (bèijǐng) is part of a linguistic phenomenon called 'Wasei kango', where Japanese scholars coined new terms using Chinese characters that were later re-imported into the Chinese language.
- The character 背 in 背景 refers to the 'back' of a person, illustrating the concept that context is something that physically or metaphorically stands behind a subject.
- The modern usage of 背景 as a way to describe 'background' or 'context' was documented as early as 1919 in the writings of the intellectual Li Dazhao.
Examples in context
- 如果你不明白一件事，那是因为你没有意识到它的背景。If you don't understand something, it's because you aren't aware of its context.Here 背景 refers to the background of something, which is why it is translated as context.Tatoeba #501711 by fucongcong, translation #1743 by Zifre
- 我们需要了解历史背景。Wǒmen xūyào liǎojiě lìshǐ bèijǐng.We need to understand the historical context.
- 这个故事的背景很复杂。Zhège gùshì de bèijǐng hěn fùzá.The background context of this story is very complex.
Example conversation
Zhiqiang and Xiaowen are discussing a book they are reading.
- 志强 Zhiqiang这段话让我有点困惑。Zhè duàn huà ràng wǒ yǒudiǎn kùnhuò.This passage confuses me a little.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen你可能需要看看故事的背景。Nǐ kěnéng xūyào kànkan gùshì de bèijǐng.You might need to look at the context of the story.
- 志强 Zhiqiang背景是指什么？Bèijǐng shì zhǐ shénme?What does the context refer to?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen是指人物生活的时代和环境。Shì zhǐ rénwù shēnghuó de shídài hé huánjìng.It refers to the era and environment the characters live in.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “context” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
