违背

Pattern visualization

Examples

1. 这样做违背了他的初衷。▶ —
   Doing this goes against his original intention.
2. 我们不能违背自己的良心。▶ —
   We must not act against our own conscience.

Collocations

Mnemonic

违 wéi "to disobey" + 背 bèi "to turn one's back on": to go against, run counter to (abstract things: principles, promises, conscience, intentions). Compare with 违反 (wéifǎn, explicit rules/law): 违背 is for the abstract. Polyphone: 背 is bèi "to turn against" (违背) but bēi "to carry on the back" (背包); here bèi. 违背诺言 = to break a promise.

Related

Quick check

1. What distinguishes 违背 from 违反?

   • 违背 = abstract (principles, promises); 违反 = explicit rules/law
   • identical
   • 违背 = color; 违反 = taste
   • 违反 = time