<p>背后(behind) is a compound word made up of [背 = back/ back side (n)] + [后 = behind (preposition)]</p>
<blockquote>
<p>背 in 背后 can refer to &quot;the back&quot; (背脊) of a person</p>
<p>e.g. 在你<strong>背</strong>后批评你</p>
<p><em>背 here refers to your back (背脊)</em></p>
<p>Although 背 here literally mean one's back, it is used as a metaphor for &quot;place you cannot see = instances unknown to you &quot;</p>
</blockquote>
<p>~</p>
<blockquote>
<p>背 in 背后 can also refer to &quot;the back side&quot;(背面) of an object</p>
<p>e.g. 在<strong>门背</strong>后</p>
<p><em>背 here refers to the back side of the door (门背面)</em></p>
<p>In this case, the meaning of &quot;背&quot; (the back side) is completely literal</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-03-04T01:25:23.513Z
While I don't want to seem unappreciative, I'm asking about the *etymology* of 背后.  It's surprising that both its literal and figurative meanings match those in English.
Becky 李蓓
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-03-04T01:40:44.853Z
@Becky 李蓓 When something happened behind one's back, that person cannot see it. It is logical to use it  figuratively for  "place you cannot see = instances unknown to you" which I have stated in my answer . It is true in all language, including English
Tang Ho
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-03-04T10:56:20.320Z
Don't think you mean the etymology. Ask Drooze about that! 背 bei has something to do with facing south and 后 is a person giving orders. Tang Ho is right.  Why does it surprise you that “behind my back" has this meaning in Chinese? People are people! 你不要在背后捣鬼！
Pedroski
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-03-04T12:28:36.880Z
@Pedroski “etymology” is correct, we try to use [tag:glyph-origin] for graphical origins of characters.
dROOOze
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-03-04T00:39:43.730Z
2020-03-04T01:01:26.027Z
2020-06-17T09:50:11.587Z
Tang Ho
<p>Yes, 背後 can mean did somethings without your knowledge or secretly. For example, 小心他可能在背後捅你一刀。 (Watch out, he may backstab you.) In this example 在背後捅你一刀 shared similar meaning of backstab. And it is one of usage of 背後, it means did somethings without your knowledge or secretly. While 捅你一刀 stands for harm you.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-03-06T02:28:05.647Z
2020-03-06T02:28:05.647Z
000
<p><a href="http://youdao.com/w/eng/%E8%83%8C%E5%90%8E" rel="nofollow noreferrer">背后</a> is used to mean "behind one's back" both literally:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>你要是口渴，在门<strong>背后</strong>你能找到水。<br>
  If you're thirsty, behind the door you can find water.<br>
  <sub><a href="http://www.jukuu.com/show-%E8%83%8C%E5%90%8E-9.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Jukuu.com</a></sub></p>
</blockquote>

<p>and figuratively (in the sense of backstabbing):</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>她伪称喜欢你,但在<strong>背后</strong>批评你。<br>
  She falsely states she likes you, but behind [your] back criticizes you.<br>
  <sub><a href="http://www.jukuu.com/show-%E8%83%8C%E5%90%8E-2.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Jukuu.com</a></sub></p>
</blockquote>

<p>I'm not sure if this is purely coincidental.</p>

<p><strong>Question</strong>: How did 背后 come to mean "behind one's back" both literally and figuratively, like in English?</p>

<etymology>
How did 背后 come to mean "behind one's back" both literally and figuratively, like in English?
# How did 背后 come to mean "behind one's back" both literally and figuratively, like in English?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-03-04)

[背后](http://youdao.com/w/eng/%E8%83%8C%E5%90%8E) is used to mean "behind one's back" both literally:

> 你要是口渴，在门**背后**你能找到水。  
> If you're thirsty, behind the door you can find water.  
> [Jukuu.com](http://www.jukuu.com/show-%E8%83%8C%E5%90%8E-9.html)

and figuratively (in the sense of backstabbing):

> 她伪称喜欢你,但在**背后**批评你。  
> She falsely states she likes you, but behind [your] back criticizes you.  
> [Jukuu.com](http://www.jukuu.com/show-%E8%83%8C%E5%90%8E-2.html)

I'm not sure if this is purely coincidental.

**Question**: How did 背后 come to mean "behind one's back" both literally and figuratively, like in English?

**Tags:** etymology

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2020-03-04. Score: 1

背后(behind) is a compound word made up of [背 = back/ back side (n)] + [后 = behind (preposition)]

> 背 in 背后 can refer to "the back" (背脊) of a person
>
> e.g. 在你**背**后批评你
>
> *背 here refers to your back (背脊)*
>
> Although 背 here literally mean one's back, it is used as a metaphor for "place you cannot see = instances unknown to you "

~

> 背 in 背后 can also refer to "the back side"(背面) of an object
>
> e.g. 在**门背**后
>
> *背 here refers to the back side of the door (门背面)*
>
> In this case, the meaning of "背" (the back side) is completely literal

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: While I don't want to seem unappreciative, I'm asking about the *etymology* of 背后.  It's surprising that both its literal and figurative meanings match those in English.  
> **username_1**: @Becky 李蓓 When something happened behind one's back, that person cannot see it. It is logical to use it  figuratively for  "place you cannot see = instances unknown to you" which I have stated in my answer . It is true in all language, including English  
> **username_2**: Don't think you mean the etymology. Ask Drooze about that! 背 bei has something to do with facing south and 后 is a person giving orders. Tang Ho is right.  Why does it surprise you that “behind my back" has this meaning in Chinese? People are people! 你不要在背后捣鬼！  
> **username_3**: @Pedroski “etymology” is correct, we try to use [tag:glyph-origin] for graphical origins of characters.  

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### Answer by username_4 on 2020-03-06. Score: 0

Yes, 背後 can mean did somethings without your knowledge or secretly. For example, 小心他可能在背後捅你一刀。 (Watch out, he may backstab you.) In this example 在背後捅你一刀 shared similar meaning of backstab. And it is one of usage of 背後, it means did somethings without your knowledge or secretly. While 捅你一刀 stands for harm you.


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