Translation and Meaning of: 背 - sei

The Japanese word 背 (せい) may seem simple at first glance, but it carries meanings and uses that go beyond the obvious. If you are studying Japanese or are simply curious about this expression, understanding its context and application can enrich your vocabulary. In this article, we will explore everything from its basic meaning to cultural aspects and practical tips for memorization.

In addition to unraveling the translation and origin of 背, we will see how it is used in daily Japanese, its frequency in conversations, and even examples of sentences that can aid in learning. Whether for those looking for a reliable dictionary like Suki Nihongo or for those wishing to deepen their knowledge, this guide offers accurate and useful information.

Meaning and use of 背

Sei (せい) is a kanji that usually refers to the back part of the body, such as the back, but it can also mean height or stature when used in certain contexts. For example, in expressions like 背が高い (せがたかい), which means "to be tall," the word is directly related to a person's height. This duality of meanings makes it versatile in the Japanese language.

Another common use is in compound words, such as 背景 (はいけい - "background" or "scenery"), where 背 contributes the idea of "behind" or "back." This type of construction is frequent in Japanese, demonstrating how the same kanji can appear in different situations. It is worth noting that, although it is a term used in everyday life, it is not as common as other words related to the human body.

Origin and writing of the kanji 背

The kanji 背 is composed of the radical 月 (tsuki), which is often associated with body parts, and the component 北 (kita), which originally meant "back" in archaic Chinese. This combination reinforces the idea of something that is behind or at the back, both in a physical and metaphorical sense. The etymology helps to understand why this character is used in contexts involving height or position.

In writing, it is important to pay attention to the stroke order, especially in the component 北, which can be confused with other similar kanjis. The pronunciation せい (sei) is one of the most common readings, but it can also be read as はい (hai) in certain words, such as in the previously mentioned 背景 (background). Knowing these variations is essential to avoid mistakes when reading or writing.

Tips for memorizing and using 背

An effective way to memorize 背 is to associate it with images or everyday situations. For example, thinking of someone measuring their height (背が高い) or a background setting (背景) can help cement the meaning. Another tip is to practice with simple sentences, such as "彼は背が高いです" (He is tall), to incorporate the term into your active vocabulary.

Moreover, observing kanji in different contexts, such as in animes or written materials, can reinforce learning. Often, words like 背中 (せなか - "back") appear in dialogues, providing real usage examples. Over time, familiarity with 背 increases, making it easier to recognize and apply it correctly.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 背中 (senaka) - back
• 背骨 (sebone) - Coluna vertebral
• 背面 (haimen) - Back side; rear part
• 背後 (haigo) - Back; behind
• 背負う (seou) - Carry on the shoulders; transport
• 背景 (haikei) - Fund; context

背

Romaji: sei
Kana: せい
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: height; stature

Meaning in English: height;stature

Definition: Represents the height of something.

Example Sentences - (背) sei

See below some example sentences:

背後に誰かいるかもしれない。

Ushiro ni dareka iru kamoshirenai

Pode haver alguém atrás de mim.

Maybe someone behind.

• 背後に - indicates the location "behind"
• 誰か - means "someone"
• いる - Verb "to be" in the present
• かもしれない - expression that indicates possibility, "it could be that"

彼は約束を背いた。

Kare wa yakusoku o somuita

He broke the promise.

He promised.

• 彼 - The Japanese pronoun that means "he" is 彼 (かれ, kare).
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 約束 - Japanese noun that means "promise"
• を - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 背いた - Japanese verb meaning "to break" or "to violate", conjugated in the past tense

私はあなたより背が高いです。

Watashi wa anata yori se ga takai desu

I'm taller than you.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• あなた (anata) - personal pronoun meaning "you"
• より (yori) - particle that indicates comparison, in this case, "more than"
• 背 (se) - noun that means "height" or "stature"
• が (ga) - Particle that marks the subject of the sentence
• 高い (takai) - adjective meaning "tall"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite and courteous form of speech

私は背広を着て会議に出席します。

Watashi wa sebiro o kite kaigi ni shusseki shimasu

I'm going to wear a suit and attend the meeting.

I will attend the meeting wearing a suit.

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 背広 - Japanese noun meaning "suit"
• を - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 着て - Japanese verb meaning "to put on"
• 会議 - Japanese noun meaning "meeting"
• に - Japanese particle indicating the place where the action takes place
• 出席します - Japanese verb meaning "to attend"

私たちは未来を背負う。

Watashitachi wa mirai wo seou

We carry the future.

• 私たちは - 「私たち」
• 未来を - "Future" in Japanese, followed by the particle "wo" which indicates the object of the sentence.
• 背負う - "To take on" in Japanese, in the sense of assuming responsibility.

背中が痛いです。

Senaka ga itai desu

My back is hurting.

My back hurts.

• 背中 (senaka) - means "back" in Japanese
• が (ga) - a subject particle in Japanese
• 痛い (itai) - means "sore" or "hurt" in Japanese
• です (desu) - a polite way of saying "is" or "are" in Japanese

背が高い人が好きです。

Se ga takai hito ga suki desu

I like tall people.

• 背が高い - adjective that means "tall in stature"
• 人 - noun that means "person"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 好き - The adjective that means "to like" is "gostoso" or "agradável."
• です - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of discourse

背景が美しいですね。

Haikei ga utsukushii desu ne

The background is beautiful.

• 背景 (hái jǐng) - background
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 美しい (utsukushii) - nice or beautiful
• です (desu) - Verb to be in the present
• ね (ne) - particle of confirmation or agreement