背 (bèi) — to memorize, to recite from memory; to turn one's back (to); to hide (something) from, to keep secret from
Definition
背 (bèi) as a verb has two unrelated senses: 'recite from memory' (背课文) and 'turn one's back / hide something from' (背着我, 背着大家). For memorizing, 背 stresses active recitation; 记 covers recalling or noting down.
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
Examples
- 背。Wǒ huì bèi zhè shǒu shī.I can recite this poem.
- 背，。Tā bèi duì zhe wǒ, bù shuō huà.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).
Appears in
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