backstage
backstage — 形容詞
1. describing a place, person, or activity located in the part of a theatre, concer
後台的
位於劇場舞台後方的
describing a place, person, or activity located in the part of a theatre, concert hall, or TV studio that the audience cannot see, including dressing rooms and equipment storage.
Bram showed her backstage pass to the security guard at the arena.
Bram 把她的後台通行證拿給體育館的保全看。
attributive: backstage + noun (pass)
The backstage crew spent three hours setting up lights before the concert.
後台工作人員花了三個小時在演唱會前架設燈光。
common collocation: backstage crew
Fans paid extra for a backstage tour of the opera house in Vienna.
粉絲多付了錢，參加維也納歌劇院的後台導覽。
Leila took a quick backstage photo with the lead singer after the show.
Leila 在表演結束後，和主唱在後台快速合照了一張。
- behind-the-scenes
broader; works for any setting, not just theatre
- offstage
more strictly 'not on the stage right now', less about the dressing-room area
- onstage
in the part the audience sees
文法句型
backstage + noun (pass, area, crew, tour)
用法筆記
Almost always used before a noun (attributive). Rarely appears after 'be' in this sense; for 'the actor is backstage', use the adverb form.
常見錯誤
2. describing talks, deals, or activities that happen privately within a group such
幕後；私下
在組織內部不公開進行的
describing talks, deals, or activities that happen privately within a group such as a company, party, or organisation, away from public attention — for example, a quiet agreement between two ministers before a vote.
Reporters wrote about the backstage deal between the two party leaders.
記者報導了兩位黨魁之間的幕後交易。
abstract noun: backstage + deal
There was a lot of backstage drama at the company before the merger was announced.
公司在合併案宣布前，內部有許多幕後的紛爭。
abstract noun: backstage + drama
The backstage politics inside the union finally became public last week.
工會內部的幕後角力上週終於攤在陽光下。
A backstage meeting between the coach and the team owner decided who would play.
教練和球隊老闆的一場幕後會議，決定了誰能上場。
- behind-the-scenes
more common in journalism; same meaning
- private
neutral; lacks the suggestion of hidden influence
- secret
stronger; suggests the action is being concealed on purpose
文法句型
backstage + abstract noun (deal, drama, politics)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense modifies abstract nouns (deal, drama, politics, meeting) about private group activity, while sense 1 modifies physical theatre nouns (pass, crew, area). The distinction is the noun, not the word itself.
常見錯誤
backstage — 副詞
1. in or to the rooms behind a theatre stage where performers prepare, rest, and wa
在後台
在或前往劇場舞台後方
in or to the rooms behind a theatre stage where performers prepare, rest, and wait until they are needed on stage.
After the curtain fell, the actors hurried backstage for a costume change.
布幕落下後，演員們匆忙跑到後台換戲服。
verb of motion + backstage
Eitan waited backstage with her violin for almost an hour before the concert started.
Eitan 抱著小提琴在後台等了將近一個小時，演奏會才開始。
stative: wait + backstage
Only people with a special pass are allowed backstage during the festival.
音樂節期間，只有持特別通行證的人能進到後台。
The director ran backstage to check on the lead actor, who had hurt his ankle.
導演衝到後台，去看扭傷腳踝的男主角。
- offstage
moving away from the visible stage; less about the dressing-room area
- onstage
in or to the part the audience sees
文法句型
go/be/wait + backstage
backstage after a verb of motion or location
用法筆記
Functions as an adverb of place; never takes a preposition like 'to' or 'in' (write 'go backstage', not 'go to backstage'). Compare with the adjective use, which always sits before a noun.
常見錯誤
2. in private and away from the public's notice, often referring to talks, planning
私下；幕後
不公開地，常指協商或運作
in private and away from the public's notice, often referring to talks, planning, or influence inside a government, company, or organisation — for example, two officials quietly agreeing on terms before a vote.
Most of the real decisions in the campaign were made backstage by a small group of advisers.
競選活動裡大多數真正的決定，都是由一小群顧問私下做出的。
happen + backstage (figurative)
The diplomats worked backstage for weeks to prepare the peace agreement.
外交官們在幕後努力了好幾週，才把和平協議準備好。
work + backstage
Several deals were quietly arranged backstage before the board meeting opened.
董事會開始之前，幾筆交易已經在幕後悄悄談妥。
Senator Park spent the morning negotiating backstage with members of the other party.
Park 參議員整個早上都在幕後和對方黨派的成員協商。
- behind the scenes
more common; identical figurative meaning
- privately
neutral; no suggestion of hidden influence
- secretly
stronger; the action is deliberately concealed
文法句型
happen/work/operate + backstage
用法筆記
Distinguish from adverb sense 1: this sense is figurative and pairs with verbs of negotiation, planning, or decision (work, decide, arrange, negotiate), not with verbs of physical motion. The setting is political or corporate, not a theatre.