All meanings
- the back of a body or object
- to turn one's back
- to hide something from
- to learn by heart
- to recite from memory
- unlucky (slang)
- hard of hearing
In context
Example sentences
他的背很疼。
Tā de bèi hěn téng.
His back hurts.
Keep going
Related words
Words with 背
HSK levels
背: HSK 5 on the old exam, HSK 4 on the new one. See where your old level lands
New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting of the new exam is announced for 13 December 2026, for HSK 1 to 6. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.
Study this word
Keep 背 for good.
HSK Lord shows you this card again right before you would forget it, so each review is short and the word stays with you.
Add to my deck, free
10 new cards a day on the free plan, no credit card.
Frequently Asked Questions
背 (bèi) means "the back of a body or object; to turn one's back; to hide something from; to learn by heart; to recite from memory; unlucky (slang); hard of hearing" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 4.
背 is pronounced "bèi" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 4.
背 is an HSK 4 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 5 on the old exam, HSK 4 on the new one.
Common words with 背 include 后背 (the back (human anatomy)), 刀背 (back of the knife), 向背 (to support or oppose), 垫背 (to serve as a sacrificial victim), 仑背 (Lunbei or Lunpei township in Yunlin county 雲林縣|云林县[Yun2 lin2 xian4], Taiwan).
You can practice writing 背 using our stroke order tool.
Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.