背靠背 (bèi kào bèi) — (literally) back-to-back (physical posture); (figuratively) without each other's knowledge, separately (of actions done secretly)

Definition

Literally 'back-to-back' (physical posture), also used figuratively for two parties acting separately, without coordinating or telling each other — like making deals or signing contracts behind one another's back.

(literally) back-to-back (physical posture)(figuratively) without each other's knowledgeseparately (of actions done secretly)

Examples

  • 背靠背。
    Wǒ men liǎng gè rén bèi kào bèi zuò zhe xiū xi.
    The two of us sat back-to-back to rest.
  • 背靠背，。
    Tā men bèi kào bèi zuò le liǎng cì mǎi mai, shuí dōu bú gào sù shuí.
    They each made two deals without the other knowing.
  • 背靠背，。
    Zhè liǎng jiā gōng sī bèi kào bèi qiān le hé tong, hù xiāng bù zhī dào.
    These two companies signed contracts without each other's knowledge.

Origin

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
月Written in full as肉ròumeat
Sound part声符shēngfú
北
北běi背bèi
Same sound today

背 was first written as 北; 北 gives the sound, and 肉 (meat, written as 月 here) was added to separate it from 北’s north meaning.

Open 背 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
非非fēi
Sound part声符shēngfú
告
告gào靠kào
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

靠 is made of 告 and 非: 告 gives the sound, and 非 gives the meaning.

Open 靠 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
月Written in full as肉ròumeat
Sound part声符shēngfú
北
北běi背bèi
Same sound today

背 was first written as 北; 北 gives the sound, and 肉 (meat, written as 月 here) was added to separate it from 北’s north meaning.

Open 背 →

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