背 bēi to carry on the back
to carry on the back; to bear
bèi (the back; to recite) and bēi (to carry on the back): 背书 bèishū recite, 背包 bēibāo backpack
How to remember 背: 北 north + ⺝ moon = to carry on the back. After watching the lights in the far north under the moon, the sleepy girl is carried on the back of her father all the way home.
Component breakdown
背 = 北 north + ⺝ moon
- 北 north
- 匕 spoon
- 匕 spoon
- ⺝ moon
After watching the lights in the far north under the moon, the sleepy girl is carried on the back of her father all the way home.
How it is used
- Read bēi it means to carry on your back: 背包 (bēibāo) backpack, 背东西 (bēi dōngxi) carry things on your back.
- 背后 (bèihòu) = behind (someone's back); 背景 (bèijǐng) = background; 背叛 (bèipàn) = to betray.
- 背 also = to recite from memory: 背课文 (bèi kèwén) memorize/recite a text, 背单词 (bèi dāncí) memorize vocabulary.