背

Pattern visualization

Examples

1. 学生们正在背课文。▶ —
   The students are reciting the text from memory.
2. 这首诗我已经背下来了。▶ —
   I have already memorized this poem.

Collocations

Mnemonic

背 "back / to recite": a multi-reading character. ① bèi: to recite from memory (背课文), also to carry on the back (背包 = a backpack) ② bēi: to carry on one’s back (背孩子). The "recite" sense reads bèi. Has the flesh radical 月 (originally "the back"). 背诵 = to recite.

Related

Quick check

1. In 背课文, what does 背 mean?

   • to recite from memory (bèi)
   • to carry on the back (bēi)
   • to turn one’s back
   • to betray