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Chinese vocabulary · Beginner
How do you say "backwards" in Chinese?
向后
xiàng hòu
In Chinese, "backwards" is 向后.
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Pronunciation
Two syllables: 'shyang hoe' with first falling, second high. The second syllable sounds withdrawn and trailing.
Writing and usage
Xiang (towards) is five strokes, hou (back/rear) is five strokes. Hou is the opposite of qian.
Example sentence
不要向后退。
Do not go backwards.
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How to remember 向后
Xiang means directed at, hou means backward or rear - walking toward the rear means going backwards.
Related words
- above 上面 shàng mian
- in front 在前面 zài qián miàn
- left 左 zuǒ
- next to 在旁边 zài páng biān
- north 北 běi
- north-east 东北 dōng běi
- right 右 yòu
- south 南 nán
- south-west 西南 xī nán
Browse all Chinese words in the glossary.
Questions about 向后
How do you say "backwards" in Chinese?
In Chinese, "backwards" is 向后. It is a noun.
How is 向后 written in Chinese?
Xiang (towards) is five strokes, hou (back/rear) is five strokes. Hou is the opposite of qian.
How is 向后 used in a sentence?
Use 向后 as you would use the equivalent noun in English. For example: 不要向后退。 (Do not go backwards.).
Where can I practice Chinese words for free?
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"Backwards" in other languages
Curated by Callan Ratcliffe
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