behind one's back; privately
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesnoun
behind someone's back; in private; secretly
neutralOften used with "里" (bèidì lǐ) or "下" (bèidì xià) to form adverbial phrases. Implies actions or speech not done openly or directly in front of the relevant person, and may carry a slightly negative connotation of dishonesty or criticism.
Tā他
zài在
bèi背
dì地
lǐ里
shuō说
le了
bù不
shǎo少
rén人
de的
huài坏
huà话
。
He said a lot of bad things about people behind their backs.
Yǒu有
huà话
dāng当
miàn面
jiǎng讲
，
bù不
yào要
bèi背
dì地
yì议
lùn论
。
Say what you have to say to their face; don't discuss it behind their backs.
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Zhè这
xiē些
jiāo交
yì易
dōu都
shì是
zài在
bèi背
dì地
lǐ里
jìn进
xíng行
de的
。
These transactions were all conducted in secret.
Tā他
biǎo表
miàn面
shàng上
tóng同
yì意
，
bèi背
dì地
lǐ里
què却
lìng另
yǒu有
dǎ打
suàn算
。
He agreed on the surface, but secretly had other plans.