verb HSK 5
to turn one's back to · to face away from
Meaning
背向 means to have one's back turned toward something or someone, or to face in the opposite direction. It describes both a physical orientation and can sometimes carry metaphorical meaning of turning away from something.
Usage
This is a formal or literary word more common in written Chinese than casual conversation. Native speakers use it to describe physical positioning where someone or something is oriented with their back toward a specific direction or object. In everyday speech, people might say 背对 (bèi duì) instead.
Examples
- 01他背向我站着，我看不见他的表情。, .He stood with his back to me, so I couldn't see his expression.
- 02她背向窗户坐下，避免阳光直射眼睛。, .She sat down with her back to the window to avoid the sunlight directly hitting her eyes.
Characters
Common collocations
- 背向大海back to the sea
- 背向观众back to the audience
Antonyms
Origin
Combines 背 (back) with 向 (direction/facing), literally meaning 'back-facing' or 'to orient one's back toward.'