背影 (bèiyǐng) literally means 'the back figure' and often refers to the silhouette or image of a person seen from behind. This term is commonly used in literature and poetry to evoke feelings of nostalgia and longing, particularly in familial relationships, as it symbolizes separation and the emotional weight of goodbyes.
HSK 7, 16 strokes, Hard
bèiyǐng(bei4ying3) T4
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May 27, 2026
背影bèiyǐng(bei4ying3)
背影 (bèiyǐng) literally means 'the back figure' and often refers to the silhouette or image of a person seen from behind. This term is commonly used in literature and poetry to evoke feelings of nostalgia and longing, particularly in familial relationships, as it symbolizes separation and the emotional weight of goodbyes.
Strokes16Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
背影 is famously associated with the essay by Chinese author Zhu Ziqing, where he reflects on his father's love and sacrifice. This literary work holds a significant place in Chinese education and evokes strong feelings of filial piety.
Memory Tip
Imagine standing on a train platform, watching a loved one walk away, their back slowly disappearing into the distance. The character 背 (bèi) means 'back,' and 影 (yǐng) means 'shadow' or 'image,' together forming a poignant image of separation that is easy to remember.
About 背影
背影Simplified
16Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 背影
Podcast: 背影
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AI Study Notes for 背影
Quick Contrast
背影 (bèiyǐng) vs 侧影 (cè yǐng): 背影 refers specifically to the silhouette of a person seen from behind, while 侧影 emphasizes the profile view.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine standing on a train platform, watching a loved one walk away, their back slowly disappearing into the distance. The character 背 (bèi) means 'back,' and 影 (yǐng) means 'shadow' or 'image,' together forming a poignant image of separation that is easy to remember.
Usage Notes
While 背影 is often used in literary contexts, it can also be applied in everyday conversations when discussing farewells. Be cautious not to confuse 背影 with 背 (bèi) alone, which simply means 'back' and lacks the emotional depth of the full term.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 7 student, focus on understanding the emotional connotations of 背影 in various contexts, especially in literature. Relate it to other HSK 7 vocabulary associated with emotions, such as 情感 (qínggǎn, 'emotion') and 思念 (sīniàn, 'missing someone').
Cultural Note
背影 is famously associated with the essay by Chinese author Zhu Ziqing, where he reflects on his father's love and sacrifice. This literary work holds a significant place in Chinese education and evokes strong feelings of filial piety.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 背影 by confusing it with 背 (bèi, 'back') in casual contexts. For example, saying '我看见他的背 (wǒ kànjiàn tā de bèi)' instead of '我看见他的背影 (wǒ kànjiàn tā de bèiyǐng)' loses the emotional nuance.
AI-enhanced 2026-05-27
Pronunciation of 背影
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Cultural Notes for 背影
🏮Cultural insight
背影 is famously associated with the essay by Chinese author Zhu Ziqing, where he reflects on his father's love and sacrifice. This literary work holds a significant place in Chinese education and evokes strong feelings of filial piety.
Frequently Asked Questions about 背影
背影 originated from classical Chinese literature, where it was used to express deep emotional sentiments, especially related to family and separation.
No, 背影 typically carries a nostalgic or affectionate connotation, reflecting fond memories rather than negative feelings.
While it is primarily used in literary contexts, it can appear in modern conversations when discussing partings or farewells.
