spare tire; backup (person)
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesnoun
spare tire; spare tyre
Literal meaning referring to an extra wheel kept for emergencies in case of a flat tire.
Chū出
yuǎn远
mén门
qián前
，
yī一
dìng定
yào要
jiǎn检
chá查
bèi备
tāi胎
de的
qì气
yā压
。
Before a long trip, be sure to check the air pressure in the spare tire.
Tā他
zài在
hòu后
bèi备
xiāng箱
lǐ里
zhǎo找
dào到
le了
qiān千
jīn斤
dǐng顶
hé和
bèi备
tāi胎
。
He found the jack and the spare tire in the trunk.
noun
backup person; person kept on the sidelines
informalMetaphorical, informal term describing a person who is kept in reserve as a romantic option, often without their full knowledge or consent.
Tā他
zài在
zhè这
duàn段
gǎn感
qíng情
lǐ里
zhǐ只
shì是
tā她
de的
bèi备
tāi胎
。
In this relationship, he is just her backup option.
Wǒ我
bù不
xiǎng想
zài再
zuò做
rèn任
hé何
rén人
de的
bèi备
tāi胎
le了
。
I don't want to be anyone's backup anymore.
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Tā他
fā发
xiàn现
zì自
jǐ己
chéng成
le了
bié别
rén人
de的
bèi备
tāi胎
，
xīn心
lǐ里
hěn很
nán难
guò过
。
He was very upset to find out he had become someone else's backup plan.