How to Say “Behind me” in Chinese
Getting around · HSK 2
"Behind me" in Chinese is 在我后面 (zài wǒ hòu miàn). 后面 (hòumiàn) is the mirror of 前面; 'behind' or 'back.' 在我后面 literally reads 'at my behind-side.
Primary translation
在我后面
zài wǒ hòu miàn
Traditional: 在我後面
When to use it
后面 (hòumiàn) is the mirror of 前面; 'behind' or 'back.' 在我后面 literally reads 'at my behind-side.' This phrase comes up a lot in lines (队 duì): 你排在我后面 means 'you're in line behind me,' a useful thing to say or hear at train stations and hot pot restaurants. Culturally, Chinese speakers also use 后面 figuratively; 后面再说 means 'let's talk about it later.' Note the traditional character 後 differs from simplified 后; this trips up Taiwan travelers reading mainland signs.
Example sentences
你的包在我后面的椅子上。
Nǐ de bāo zài wǒ hòu miàn de yǐ zi shàng.
Your bag is on the chair behind me.
排在我后面的人请往前走一点。
Pái zài wǒ hòu miàn de rén qǐng wǎng qián zǒu yì diǎn.
People in line behind me, please move forward a bit.
有人一直跟在我后面。
Yǒu rén yì zhí gēn zài wǒ hòu miàn.
Someone has been following behind me.