背
Character learning workspace

bēi / bèi · back, backside

Master the form, understand its parts, and learn how it behaves in real Chinese.

HSK 2.0 · Level 5HSK 3.0 · Level 4Frequency #1623
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Learn every stroke in 背

Replay the complete order, pause on difficult movements, inspect one stroke at a time, then write it yourself with live correction.

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Stroke graphics: Make Me a Hanzi / Arphic Public License
Sound changes meaning

Readings & meanings

背 has 2 dictionary pronunciations. The examples show how each reading behaves in real words.

bēi

to be burdened; to carry on the back or shoulder

背包bēi bāo · knapsack
bèi

the back of a body or object; to turn one's back; to hide something from

背后bèi hòu · behind
Step-by-step explorer

See how 背 is constructed

Switch between the accumulated form and the isolated movement of each stroke.

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Character anatomy

Understand the reusable parts

The decomposition shows how the visual pieces fit together, not necessarily the character’s historical origin.

Writing notes

Shape and proportion

9Total strokes

Count each continuous pen movement once, including turns and hooks.

Top-bottomCharacter structure

Keep the upper section balanced above the lower section.

⺼Key radical

Use the highlighted radical in the animation as a visual anchor for remembering the form.

Print and practise

Download a 背 writing sheet

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Includes the stroke sequence, progressive tracing, and blank writing squares. Generated locally in your browser.

Vocabulary in context

Common words with 背

Open a word for its full breakdown, or listen before reading the meaning.

bēito be burdened; to carry on the back or shoulder
bèithe back of a body or object; to turn one's back; to hide something from
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Example sentences

Notice where 背 sits in each complete thought.

Nǐ de bēibāo zài wǒ bàn gōng zhuō shàng miàn.你的背包在我办公桌上面。

Your bag is on my desk.

Source: Tatoeba #774717 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Bú yào zài bèi hòu shuō rén huài huà.不要在背后说人坏话。

Don't speak ill of others behind their back.

Source: Tatoeba #2607360 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ zhǎo bú dào wǒ sān jiàn tào de bèi xīn.我找不到我三件套的背心。

I can't find the waistcoat of my three piece suit.

Source: Tatoeba #867956 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Huàn jù huà shuō, tā jiù bèi pàn le wǒ men.换句话说,他就背叛了我们。

In other words, he betrayed us.

Source: Tatoeba #842681 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Tā bú huì wéi bèi tā de yuán zé.他不会违背他的原则。

He couldn't go against his principles.

Source: Tatoeba #847875 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ bú huì bèi zhe nǐ gànshénme de.我不会背着你干什么的。

I would never do something behind your back.

Source: Tatoeba #13892016 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Turn reference into recall

How to study 背 in context

  1. Say bēi / bèi, then recall the core meaning: back, backside.
  2. Write all 9 strokes while keeping the top-bottom balanced.
  3. Use it in 背包 (bēi bāo), meaning “knapsack”.
  4. Read the complete sentence aloud once, then cover the translation and explain how 背 works in that context.

Definitions and traditional forms are compiled from Make Me a Hanzi, HSK curriculum data, and CC-CEDICT. Sourced example sentences link to Tatoeba; editorial examples are labeled separately. Review data sources and licenses.