背 bèi — back · English

背

bèi

back

At a glance · 背

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Evolution of the glyph

Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
Regular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

⚠ Some ancient forms are not attested：oracle bone form、seal script form。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.

「背」从肉北声，小篆从肉背声，形声清晰。

What the sketch shows

Origins & notes

「背」本义为脊背，引申背面、背靠、违背。

Structure

从肉（月）、北声，形声字，肉表人体义类，北表音。

At a glance

Pinyinbèi

Radical月

Strokes9

UnicodeU+80CC

Character type形声

Theme人体

Six languages, one character

Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.

English back back; back side; behind; betray

Français dos / s'appuyer Dos, s'appuyer. «背邙面洛» : adossé au Mang, face au Luo.

Español espalda / apoyar Espalda, apoyar. «背邙面洛»: respaldado en Mang, frente a Luo.

العربية ظهر / يستند ظهر، يستند. «背邙面洛»: مستنداً إلى مانغ، مقابل لوه.

Русский спина / опираться Спина, опираться. «背邙面洛»: спиной к Ман, лицом к Ло.

Common words

背后bèi hòubehind
背景bèi jǐngbackground

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