back
back — 動詞
1. to publicly say you agree with a person, plan, or idea, or to give them money so
支持；資助
公開贊成或出錢協助某人或某計畫
to publicly say you agree with a person, plan, or idea, or to give them money so they can succeed.
Three local banks agreed to back Xander's small bakery with a loan.
三家本地銀行同意以貸款資助瑪雅的小烘焙坊。
back + business: financial support
Most teachers in the school backed the new lunch program for poor students.
學校大多數老師都支持這個給貧困學生的新午餐計畫。
back + plan: public approval
Her parents backed her decision to study music in Vienna.
她的父母支持她到維也納學音樂的決定。
The mayor refused to back the protest after seeing the broken windows.
市長在看到被打破的窗戶後，拒絕支持這場抗議。
A wealthy uncle is backing the young singer's first album.
一位有錢的叔叔正在資助這位年輕歌手的第一張專輯。
文法句型
back + noun (person/plan/proposal)
用法筆記
Object is usually a person, plan, project, candidate, or business. Distinguish from sense 3 (MOVE BACKWARDS): only this sense takes an idea or proposal as object.
常見錯誤
2. to put money on a horse, team, or player, hoping they win so that you receive mo
下注；押注
把錢押在某匹馬或某隊上希望牠贏
to put money on a horse, team, or player, hoping they win so that you receive more money than you spent.
Otto backed a grey horse called Lucky Star and won fifty pounds.
馬可斯押了一匹叫幸運星的灰馬，贏了五十英鎊。
back + horse name
Many fans backed Brazil to win the World Cup that summer.
那年夏天許多球迷押巴西贏得世界盃。
back + team + to-infinitive
I never back the favourite because the prize money is too small.
我從來不押熱門馬，因為獎金太少。
Old men sat in the corner of the pub, backing horses on their phones.
幾個老人坐在酒吧角落，用手機押賽馬。
- bet on
more common in everyday speech
- wager on
more formal or written
- stake money on
emphasises the amount risked
文法句型
back + horse/team/player
用法筆記
Common in British English in horse racing and football contexts. Object is the competitor, not the event itself: you back a horse, not a race.
常見錯誤
3. to move in reverse, with the rear part going first, or to make a vehicle or anim
倒退；倒車
讓自己或車輛往後方移動
to move in reverse, with the rear part going first, or to make a vehicle or animal do this.
Nikolai slowly backed the truck into the narrow garage.
卡洛斯慢慢把卡車倒進狹窄的車庫。
back + vehicle + into: reversing
The boy backed away from the angry dog without turning around.
男孩沒轉身，從凶猛的狗旁邊往後退開。
intransitive: back away from
Please back your chair a little so I can open the drawer.
請把你的椅子往後挪一點，我才打得開抽屜。
The thief backed slowly out of the shop, watching the door.
小偷盯著門，慢慢倒退走出店外。
Wairimu backed her bicycle off the path to let the runners pass.
莉娜把腳踏車往後牽離小路，讓跑步的人通過。
- advance
to move forward, often with purpose
文法句型
back + noun + into/out of/away from
back + adverb (away, up)
用法筆記
Almost always used with a direction word (away, up, into, out of, off). Bare 'back the car' alone is rare; speakers usually add 'up' or a destination.
常見錯誤
4. to attach a layer of cloth, paper, or other material to an object's rear side so
加襯背；裱背
在物品背面加一層材料以加固
to attach a layer of cloth, paper, or other material to an object's rear side so it becomes stronger or thicker.
The old map was backed with thin cotton cloth to keep it from tearing.
那張舊地圖背面襯了薄棉布以防止破損。
passive: be backed with + material
Wairimu backed each photograph with stiff card before putting it in the album.
莉娜把每張照片背面襯上硬卡紙再放進相簿。
back + object + with + material
The picture frame was backed with brown paper and a small wire hook.
畫框背面用棕色紙和一個小鐵鉤固定。
Workers backed the wooden boards with metal sheets to make the door safer.
工人在木板背面加上金屬片，讓門更安全。
文法句型
be backed with/by + material
用法筆記
Frequently passive. The pattern is 'X is backed with Y', where Y is the added layer. Distinguish from sense 1 (SUPPORT): this sense never takes a person as object.
常見錯誤
back — 名詞
1. for an object, room, or building, the side that lies farthest from its face, ent
後面；背面
物體或空間離正面最遠的部分
for an object, room, or building, the side that lies farthest from its face, entrance, or display side — for example, the rear wall of a classroom, the boot of a car, or the reverse of a printed page.
Mei wrote her phone number on the back of the receipt.
美伊把她的電話號碼寫在收據的背面。
the back of [paper/object]
The children sat at the back of the school bus and waved at us.
孩子們坐在校車的後面，向我們揮手。
at the back of [vehicle/room]
There is a small garden at the back of our house.
我們家後面有一個小花園。
The recipe is printed on the back of the cereal box.
食譜印在麥片盒的背面。
Nikolai found the index in the back of the textbook.
卡洛斯在課本的後面找到了索引。
- front
the directly opposite area
文法句型
the back of [something]
at the back
用法筆記
Frequently appears with the prepositions 'at', 'in', 'on', or 'to', and almost always with 'the'. Distinguish from sense 6 (body part): this sense is about objects and places, not anatomy.
常見錯誤
2. in the phrase 'back to back', describing two people or things positioned with th
背靠背
兩者背部相對、面朝相反方向
in the phrase 'back to back', describing two people or things positioned with their rear sides touching or pointing toward each other, so they face away in opposite directions.
The twins stood back to back so their mother could measure who was taller.
雙胞胎背靠背站著，讓媽媽量誰比較高。
stand back to back
Xander and her sister sat back to back on the rug, leaning against each other.
瑪雅和她妹妹背靠背坐在地毯上，互相倚靠。
sit back to back
The two soldiers fought back to back to defend each other from every direction.
兩名士兵背靠背作戰，從各個方向互相掩護。
Place the two sofas back to back to divide the living room into two zones.
把兩張沙發背靠背擺，把客廳分成兩個區域。
- rear to rear
rare; only in technical descriptions
- face to face
describes two people or things turned toward each other
文法句型
stand/sit back to back
用法筆記
Always used as the fixed phrase 'back to back', not as a single noun. Distinguish from sense 3 ('back-to-back' meaning consecutive in time): this sense is about physical position.
常見錯誤
3. in the phrase 'back to back', used when several events, games, or activities fol
連續地
幾件事一個接一個發生，中間沒有空檔
in the phrase 'back to back', used when several events, games, or activities follow each other directly with no gap or pause in between.
Daniel had three meetings back to back and barely had time for lunch.
丹尼爾連續開了三場會，幾乎沒時間吃午餐。
[events] back to back
Our team won two championships back to back in 2024 and 2025.
我們的隊伍在2024和2025年連續贏得兩屆冠軍。
win [titles] back to back
The cinema played both films back to back, so the show ended at midnight.
戲院連續播放兩部電影，所以散場已經半夜了。
Wairimu worked four shifts back to back at the cafe over the weekend.
莉娜週末在咖啡廳連續上了四個班。
- consecutive
more formal, typically used as an adjective before the noun
- in a row
informal; same idea, more conversational
- spaced out
with breaks or gaps between events
文法句型
[event] back to back
用法筆記
Used as an adverbial phrase after the noun or verb. Distinguish from sense 2 (physical position): here 'back to back' refers to time order, not orientation.
常見錯誤
4. in the phrase 'back to front', describing clothing or an object that has been pu
前後反穿
把衣物或物品的後面當前面
in the phrase 'back to front', describing clothing or an object that has been put on or arranged the wrong way round, so that the rear side is now pointing forward.
Otto realised at school that he had put his sweater on back to front.
馬可斯到學校才發現自己把毛衣前後穿反了。
put on [clothing] back to front
The toddler wore his shoes back to front and giggled at his clumsy steps.
小男孩把鞋子前後穿反，邊走邊咯咯笑。
wear [shoes] back to front
Wairimu hung the painting back to front by mistake and only noticed at dinner.
莉娜不小心把畫前後掛反，到晚餐時才發現。
Dad had his cap on back to front, just like the kids on the skateboard team.
爸爸把棒球帽反戴，跟滑板隊的小孩一樣。
- backwards
common in American English for the same meaning
- the wrong way round
informal British phrase with the same meaning
- the right way round
with the front facing forward as intended
文法句型
wear/put on [clothing] back to front
用法筆記
More common in British English; American speakers often say 'backwards' instead. Distinguish from sense 2 ('back to back'): that describes two things, this describes one item turned the wrong way.
常見錯誤
5. the upper, outer surface of a hand — the side opposite the palm, where you can u
手背
手掌的反面
the upper, outer surface of a hand — the side opposite the palm, where you can usually see knuckles, veins, and sometimes hair.
Xander wiped a tear from her cheek with the back of her hand.
瑪雅用手背擦掉臉頰上的眼淚。
the back of [your] hand
The nurse pressed the back of her hand against the baby's forehead to feel for fever.
護士用手背貼著寶寶的額頭，感覺有沒有發燒。
press the back of [one's] hand against
A small mosquito landed on the back of Ben's hand during the picnic.
野餐時，一隻小蚊子停在班的手背上。
Grandma kissed the back of my hand and smiled warmly.
奶奶親了我的手背，溫柔地笑了。
文法句型
the back of [your] hand
用法筆記
Almost always appears as 'the back of [someone's] hand'. Common in idioms about familiarity ('know it like the back of your hand'), though that idiom is listed separately.
常見錯誤
6. in people and many animals, the area behind the chest and stomach that runs from
背部
肩膀到臀部之間的身體部位
in people and many animals, the area behind the chest and stomach that runs from the shoulders down to the hips, with the spine forming its central support.
Nikolai hurt his back lifting a heavy box at work yesterday.
卡洛斯昨天在公司搬重箱子時弄傷了背。
hurt [one's] back
The little girl rode on her father's back through the shallow river.
小女孩騎在爸爸背上渡過淺淺的河。
on [someone's] back
Aunt Rosa lay on her back in the grass and watched the clouds drift by.
蘿莎阿姨仰躺在草地上，看著雲朵慢慢飄過。
The horse had a long white stripe down its back.
那匹馬的背上有一道長長的白色條紋。
Xander scratched her back against the rough bark of the tree.
瑪雅靠在粗糙的樹皮上抓背。
文法句型
[someone's] back
on [one's] back
用法筆記
Often takes a possessive ('my back', 'his back'). Subject of many fixed expressions about effort or burden ('break your back', 'turn your back on'). Distinguish from sense 1 (rear of objects): this sense is anatomical only.
常見錯誤
7. the area between your shoulders and waist when you are talking about hurting, st
腰背
容易受傷或拉傷的背部部位
the area between your shoulders and waist when you are talking about hurting, straining, or damaging that body region — for example, after lifting something heavy or sitting badly for a long time.
Otto injured his back trying to lift a heavy box of books up the stairs.
Otto 想把一箱重重的書搬上樓時拉傷了背。
collocation: injure / hurt + one's back
The nurse warned Grandma that gardening on her knees might damage her back.
護理師警告奶奶說，跪著做園藝可能會傷到她的背。
Wairimu strained her back during the volleyball match and missed the next game.
Wairimu 在排球比賽中拉傷了背，因此錯過了下一場比賽。
Sitting at the office desk for ten hours has done something terrible to my back.
在辦公桌前坐了十個小時，我的腰背真的快不行了。
The builder twisted his back lifting bags of cement off the truck.
工人從卡車上搬水泥袋時扭傷了背。
- spine
the bony column itself; narrower and more clinical than back
- lower back
the region most often strained by lifting
文法句型
hurt/injure/strain + one's back
do + something + to one's back
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 6 (the general body-part name): this sense focuses on the back as the place that is hurt or strained, and almost always appears with a verb of injury such as hurt, injure, strain, twist, pull, or damage.
常見錯誤
8. in football and similar team sports, a player whose job is to stay near their ow
後衛
足球等運動中的防守球員
in football and similar team sports, a player whose job is to stay near their own goal and prevent opponents from putting the ball into the net, rather than attacking.
Diego plays at right back for the school football team and rarely lets a winger past him.
Diego 在學校足球隊踢右後衛，很少讓邊鋒從他身邊通過。
pattern: play (at) + [position] back
The coach moved Hannah from midfield to centre back after the injury.
教練在 Hannah 受傷後，把她從中場改派到中後衛位置。
collocation: centre back / left back / right back
Liverpool's left back made a perfect tackle just outside the penalty area.
利物浦的左後衛在禁區外完成了一次完美的搶斷。
A good back reads the game and stops attackers before they reach the goal.
好的後衛能讀懂比賽，在攻擊球員逼近球門前就把他們攔下。
Nikolai was the youngest back on the pitch but he marked the striker brilliantly.
Nikolai 是場上最年輕的後衛，但他把對方前鋒盯得很死。
文法句型
play (at) back
be a back
left/right/centre + back
用法筆記
Almost always appears with a position word in front of it (left, right, centre, full). Subject is typically a named player or a club. Distinguish from sense 9, which refers to a position behind the line of scrimmage in American football and rugby.
常見錯誤
9. in rugby, or American-style football, a player who starts each play well behind
後場球員
美式足球或橄欖球中位於前線後方的球員
in rugby, or American-style football, a player who starts each play well behind the forwards — usually a quick runner expected to carry or pass the ball.
Tyler is the fastest back on the rugby team and almost always scores from open field.
Tyler 是橄欖球隊跑得最快的後場球員，幾乎每次空檔都能得分。
subject is a named player + back as a position
The Eagles' running back broke through the defence for a forty-yard touchdown.
老鷹隊的跑衛突破防線，跑了四十碼達陣得分。
collocation: running back
Rugby backs need quick feet, sharp passing, and the courage to tackle bigger forwards.
橄欖球後場球員需要靈活的腳步、精準的傳球，以及面對大塊頭前鋒時的勇氣。
Coach Reeves moved Jamal from quarterback to halfback last season.
Reeves 教練上個球季把 Jamal 從四分衛調到了半衛位置。
Ohio State's young back caught the ball and sprinted past two defenders.
俄亥俄州立大學的年輕後場球員接到球後，從兩名防守球員身邊衝了過去。
- running back
American football: a back whose main job is to run with the ball
- halfback
rugby / older football term: a back close to the scrum or line
文法句型
play (in the) backs
the backs
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 8: that sense is a defender in football / soccer; this sense is a position behind the line in American football or rugby, where the role often includes running and passing the ball. Common compounds: running back, halfback, fullback, quarterback.
常見錯誤
10. the upright piece on a chair, sofa, or bench that supports your shoulders and sp
椅背；靠背
椅子或沙發上讓人靠著的部分
the upright piece on a chair, sofa, or bench that supports your shoulders and spine while you are seated.
Mei hung her wet jacket over the back of the wooden kitchen chair.
Mei 把濕外套掛在廚房木椅的椅背上。
pattern: the back of + [chair]
The old armchair has a soft padded back that makes long reading easy.
這張舊扶手椅有柔軟的軟墊靠背，讓人可以舒服地讀很久的書。
Dad leaned against the back of the sofa and closed his tired eyes.
爸爸靠在沙發的靠背上，閉上了疲倦的雙眼。
The carpenter carved a pattern of leaves into the back of every dining chair.
木匠在每張餐椅的椅背上都刻了葉子的圖案。
This office chair has a high back to support your shoulders during long meetings.
這張辦公椅有高高的椅背，能在長時間開會時支撐你的肩膀。
- seat
the flat part you sit on, opposite the back
文法句型
the back of + [chair / sofa / bench]
[adjective]-backed + [chair]
用法筆記
Subject is typically a piece of furniture with a built-in support (chair, sofa, bench, armchair). Often appears in compound adjectives such as high-backed, straight-backed, padded-back. Distinguish from sense 1 (the rear part of an object): the back of a chair is its support, not its rear face.
常見錯誤
back — 形容詞
1. located in the part of a place, building, or vehicle that is opposite the front,
後面的
位於後方、遠離正面或主要道路的
located in the part of a place, building, or vehicle that is opposite the front, or further from the main road, town, or busy area.
Xander planted tomatoes and herbs in the back garden every spring.
瑪雅每年春天都會在後院種番茄和香草。
attributive: back + noun (garden, door, room)
The cat slipped out through the back door before anyone noticed.
貓咪趁沒人注意，從後門溜了出去。
Two shy students always sat in the back row of the classroom.
兩個害羞的學生總是坐在教室後排。
Grandma Lin keeps her old photo albums on a back shelf in the closet.
林奶奶把她的舊相簿放在衣櫃後面的架子上。
We took a quiet back road to avoid the traffic near the stadium.
我們走後面的小路，避開體育館附近的車潮。
- front
directly opposite: front door, front row
文法句型
back + noun
用法筆記
Almost always used before a noun (attributive). You cannot say 'the garden is back' to mean rear-located; use 'at the back' instead.
常見錯誤
2. describes money such as rent, wages, or taxes that someone still owes because th
拖欠的
已過期限但仍未繳付的款項
describes money such as rent, wages, or taxes that someone still owes because the deadline for paying it has already passed.
The tenants finally paid two months of back rent in November.
房客終於在十一月補繳了兩個月的拖欠房租。
collocation: back rent / back taxes / back wages
Mr. Alvarez owes the city nearly five thousand dollars in back taxes.
阿瓦雷茲先生積欠市政府將近五千美元的稅款。
The factory workers are demanding three weeks of back pay from their boss.
工廠工人向老闆要求三個星期的欠薪。
Sasha used her bonus to cover the back interest on her student loan.
莎夏用獎金繳清了學生貸款的拖欠利息。
- overdue
broader; can describe library books, bills, or any late payment
- outstanding
formal; used for unpaid debts or invoices
- unpaid
neutral; emphasizes that no payment has been made yet
- current
describes payments that are up to date
文法句型
back + payment-noun (rent, taxes, wages, pay)
用法筆記
Used only before money-related nouns (rent, taxes, wages, pay, interest). Don't use it to mean 'paid in the past' — the key meaning is that the payment is late.
常見錯誤
back — 副詞
1. to the place, situation, or time where someone or something used to be — for exa
回原處；回到
回到原本的地方、狀態或時間
to the place, situation, or time where someone or something used to be — for example, returning home, putting an item where it belongs, or restoring an earlier condition.
Xander put the book back on the top shelf when she finished reading.
Xander看完書後，把書放回最上層的書架。
verb + back + on/in [location] for returning to original spot
After ten years in Tokyo, Otto moved back to his hometown in Italy.
在東京住了十年後，Otto搬回義大利的家鄉。
move/go/come + back to + [place]
The power came back on at midnight after the storm passed.
暴風雨過後，午夜時分電力恢復了。
Dad painted the old chair back to its original color last weekend.
爸爸上週末把那張舊椅子重新漆回原本的顏色。
Wairimu drove back to the office because she had forgotten her laptop.
Wairimu開車回辦公室，因為她忘了帶筆電。
- again
'again' marks repetition; 'back' marks return to a prior state or place
- forward
of motion only; not a true opposite for the time/state senses
文法句型
verb + back to/from [place]
verb + back + adverb
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 5 (FURTHER AWAY): this sense always implies returning to a known earlier point (place, state, or time), while sense 5 is purely directional with no prior reference point.
常見錯誤
2. as a response to what someone has done to you — paying, giving, or doing somethi
回報；報答
用對等行動回應對方所做的事
as a response to what someone has done to you — paying, giving, or doing something equal in exchange, including kindness or revenge.
Nikolai paid his sister back the fifty dollars she had lent him last month.
Nikolai把上個月姊姊借他的五十美元還給她了。
pay + somebody + back + amount for repayment
When the older boy pushed him, Tomas pushed him back without a word.
當大男孩推他一下，Tomas一句話也沒說就推回去。
verb + somebody + back for retaliation
Aunt Rosa always sends a small gift back whenever a neighbor brings her food.
鄰居只要送食物來，Rosa阿姨總會回送一份小禮物。
I want to thank her properly and one day pay her kindness back.
我想好好謝她，總有一天要報答她的好意。
- in return
more formal phrasing of the same idea
文法句型
verb + somebody + back
give/pay/hit + back
用法筆記
Often follows verbs of giving, paying, or hitting. The exchange may be positive (a gift, a favour) or negative (revenge, a punch). Distinguish from sense 3, which is specifically about verbal replies.
常見錯誤
3. as an answer to a message, call, or question — used when someone responds after
回覆；回應
以言語或訊息回應對方
as an answer to a message, call, or question — used when someone responds after the first person has already spoken or written.
Please call me back when you finish the meeting at four.
你四點開完會後，請回電給我。
call + somebody + back for returning a phone call
Dr. Tomás emailed back within an hour to confirm the appointment.
Tomás醫師一小時內就回信確認了預約。
email/write + back for replying to a message
When the teacher asked who broke the window, nobody answered back.
老師問是誰打破窗戶，沒人回話。
Lisa shouted hello, and her younger brother shouted back from the garden.
Lisa大聲打招呼，弟弟從花園裡也喊回來。
- in reply
more formal; written contexts
文法句型
verb + back + (to somebody)
call/write/email + back
用法筆記
Common with verbs of communication: call, email, write, shout, answer, text. Differs from sense 2 in that the exchange is verbal or written, not an action or payment.
常見錯誤
4. at an earlier point in time, often a long time ago — used to talk about events,
從前；以前
在過去某個時間點
at an earlier point in time, often a long time ago — used to talk about events, memories, or recordings from the past.
Back in 1995, my grandparents bought this little house by the river.
早在1995年，我祖父母就在河邊買下這間小房子。
back in + [year] for placing an event in the past
We watched the football match back later that evening on the recording.
我們當天晚一點才看那場足球賽的錄影回放。
watch/play + back for reviewing a recording
Two weeks back, the school organized a trip to the science museum.
兩週前，學校舉辦了一次科學博物館的校外教學。
Grandma still talks about her wedding day, way back in the spring of 1962.
奶奶常聊她的婚禮，那是在1962年的春天。
- ago
more neutral; preferred in writing for time periods
- previously
formal; written register
文法句型
back + in [year/period]
[time period] + back
用法筆記
With recordings (watch back, play back, listen back), it specifically means reviewing media after the live event. The pattern '[time period] back' is informal — 'two weeks back' is common in speech, but 'two weeks ago' is preferred in writing.
常見錯誤
5. in a direction away from the front or away from something close, so that the per
後退；往後
朝遠離前方或物體的方向
in a direction away from the front or away from something close, so that the person or thing is now further from it.
Please stand back from the yellow line until the train stops.
在火車停下前，請從黃線後退。
stand/step + back + from + [thing] for moving away
The artist stepped back to look at the whole painting from a distance.
畫家後退一步，從遠處看整幅畫。
step back for gaining perspective
The small village sits back from the main road, hidden by tall trees.
這座小村莊離主要道路有一段距離，被高大的樹木遮住。
Sit back in your chair, Wairimu, and try to relax for a moment.
Wairimu，靠到椅背上，試著放鬆一下吧。
- forward
direct opposite of direction
文法句型
verb + back + (from [thing])
stand/step/sit + back
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1, this sense does not imply returning to an earlier place — the subject simply ends up further from a reference point. Frequently with stand, step, sit, lean, pull.