Definition
背 (bèi) as a verb means 'to memorize by heart, to recite from memory' — learning something so you can say it back exactly, often aloud. Unlike 记 (jì) (to remember generally, record), 背 focuses on recitation from memory. 背 also has separate meanings: to turn one's back, and to hide something from someone.
verb
to memorizeto recite from memoryto turn one's back (to)to hide (something) fromto keep secret from
Easily confused
- 乘chénglook-aliketo ride (a vehicle), to mount
- 被bèisound-alike(preposition) used to mark passive voice, placed before the doer (or directly before the verb if the doer is omitted)
- 乖guāilook-alike(of a child or pet) well-behaved, obedient
- 倍bèisound-alike(classifier) times, -fold (indicates multiplier after a number)
- 北běilook-alikenorth
- 备bèisound-aliketo prepare; to equip
- 碑bēisound-alikestele; stone tablet; monument
Examples
- 背。Wǒ huì bèi zhè shǒu shī.I can recite this poem.
- 背，。Tā bèi duìzhe wǒ, bù shuōhuà.He turned his back to me and didn't speak.
- 。Zhè jiàn shì tā bèi zhe wǒ zuò de.He did this thing behind my back (without telling me).
Browse more HSK 4 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.