How to Write 背 (bēi/bèi) — Meaning “Back (of the body)”

Q: What is a good memory trick to remember the character 背?

Imagine your back (⺼) is facing the north wind (北), so you feel it on your back. Or think of the word 'backpack' — you carry it on your 背.

Q: What should I watch out for when writing 背?

Write the top 北 first, then the bottom ⺼. Make sure the ⺼ part is shorter and wider than a full 月, and keep the 北 centered above it. A common mistake is making the bottom too tall.

Q: How is 背 different from the similar characters 肝 and 肠?

背 has the ⺼ radical at the bottom, while 肝 and 肠 have it on the left side. Also, 背 means the back of the body, 肝 means liver, and 肠 means intestine — their top or right parts are completely different.

Q: How is 背 used in modern Chinese language and culture?

背 can mean either the back of your body (bèi) or to carry something on your back (bēi). You see it in words like 背景 (background) and 背负 (to bear a burden), and it often appears in idioms about support or turning away.

Q: What common words use 背?

Common words containing 背 include: 背面 (bèi miàn) — the back; reverse side; 背景 (bèi jǐng) — Background; 背负 (bēi fù) — to carry on the back; to bear (a burden).

bēi/bèi HSK Level 2 9 strokes Radical: ⺼

背 (bēi/bèi) means "Back (of the body)" in Chinese. It has 9 strokes with the radical ⺼, and is HSK Level 2.

Rated 3.5/5 in difficulty (challenging).

Harder than 66% of HSK Level 2 characters.

Appears in 4+ common words including 背面 (bèi miàn), 背景 (bèi jǐng), 背负 (bēi fù).

Due to its 9 strokes, Hanzi Writer's error detection shows 背 requires focused practice — most learners need 10+ attempts for consistent accuracy.

Practice Writing 背 (bēi/bèi)

Open Hanzi Writer to see the animated stroke order and practice writing 背 with real-time feedback.

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How to Write 背

The character 背 (bēi/bèi) is written with 9 strokes. Follow the standard Chinese stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. The radical ⺼ is one of its key components.

Practice the correct stroke order with the Hanzi Writer app to see animated stroke-by-stroke guidance with real-time feedback.

What Does bēi/bèi (背) Mean in Chinese?

背 means Back (of the body).

This is a polyphonic character with readings: bēi, bèi.

As an HSK Level 2 character, 背 is among the first characters beginners learn.

Character Data

Character	背
Pinyin	bēi / bèi (bei)
Meaning	Back (of the body)
Strokes	9
Radical	⺼
HSK Level	2
Difficulty	3.5/5

Origin of 背

背 combines the flesh radical ⺼ (meat/body part) with 北, which originally depicted two people standing back-to-back, symbolizing the back of the body. This compound literally means 'the fleshy back side' of a person.

💡 Memory Tip: Picture a fleshy back (⺼) with a giant compass arrow pointing north (北) tattooed across it.

Common Words with 背

背面 bèi miàn

the back; reverse side

背景 bèi jǐng

Background

背负 bēi fù

to carry on the back; to bear (a burden)

背包 bēi bāo

Backpack

Example Sentences

纸的背面可以用来当草稿纸。

zhǐ de bèi miàn kě yǐ yòng lái dāng cǎo gǎo zhǐ

The back of the paper can be used as scratch paper.

这张照片的背景是一座大山。

zhè zhāng zhào piān de bèi jǐng shì yī zuò dà shān

The background of this photo is a large mountain.

登山队员背负着沉重的装备前行。

dēng shān duì yuán bēi fù zhe chén zhòng de zhuāng bèi qián xíng

The mountaineers moved forward carrying heavy equipment on their backs.

我买了一个漂亮的新背包去旅行。

wǒ mǎi le yí gè piào liàng de xīn bēi bāo qù lǚ xíng

I bought a beautiful new backpack for my trip.

Similar Characters Comparison

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Radical
背 (current)	bēi / bèi	9	⺼
肝	gān	7	⺼
肠	cháng	7	⺼
股	gǔ	8	⺼

Practice Writing 背 (bēi/bèi)

Open Hanzi Writer to see the animated stroke order and practice writing 背 with real-time feedback.

✨ Animated stroke order · Handwriting recognition · HSK-graded practice · Free to use

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Frequently Asked Questions about 背

What are the components of 背 and how do they relate to its meaning?

背 is made of two parts: the top 北 (běi) which gives a hint about the sound, and the bottom ⺼ (meat radical) which shows it relates to the body. Together they form the meaning 'back of the body'.

What is a good memory trick to remember the character 背?

What should I watch out for when writing 背?

How is 背 different from the similar characters 肝 and 肠?

How is 背 used in modern Chinese language and culture?

What common words use 背?

How to Write 背 (bēi/bèi) — Meaning “Back (of the body)”

Practice Writing 背 (bēi/bèi)

How to Write 背

What Does bēi/bèi (背) Mean in Chinese?

Character Data

Origin of 背

Common Words with 背

Example Sentences

Similar Characters Comparison

Practice Writing 背 (bēi/bèi)

Frequently Asked Questions about 背

More HSK Level 2 Characters

Characters with Radical ⺼

Other 9-Stroke Characters