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March 24, 2026
违背(違背)wéibèi(wei2bei4)
违背 (wei2 bei4) means to violate or go against something, such as rules, norms, or agreements. It is commonly used in legal or moral contexts, indicating a breach of duty or ethics. This term implies a strong contradiction to established standards or expectations.
Frequency#5029DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, maintaining harmony and fulfilling promises is highly valued, making the concept of 违背 particularly significant in social and professional relationships. Violating these expectations can lead to loss of face or social standing.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'weighing scale' (违) that tips over because it 'bends' (背) the rules. Visualize a heavy object (a violation) causing the scale to tilt, helping you remember both the meaning and pronunciation of '违背'.
Meanings of 违背
wéibèi(wei2bei4)
1to violate
2to be contrary to
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 违背
违背Simplified
違背Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#5029Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 违背
Podcast: 违背
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AI Study Notes for 违背
Quick Contrast
违背 (wéibèi) vs 违反 (wéifǎn) — use 违背 for moral or ethical violations, while 违反 is more commonly used for legal or formal rule violations.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'weighing scale' (违) that tips over because it 'bends' (背) the rules. Visualize a heavy object (a violation) causing the scale to tilt, helping you remember both the meaning and pronunciation of '违背'.
Usage Notes
Be cautious of using 违背 in informal situations, as it carries a serious connotation. Common collocations include 违背承诺 (to violate a promise) and 违背法律 (to violate the law). Remember that the second tone in 违 (wei2) can be confused with the first tone, so pay attention to pronunciation.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 违背 connects well with other advanced vocabulary related to law and ethics, such as 法律 (law) and 道德 (morality). Focus on understanding its usage in complex sentences to enhance your fluency.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, maintaining harmony and fulfilling promises is highly valued, making the concept of 违背 particularly significant in social and professional relationships. Violating these expectations can lead to loss of face or social standing.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 违背 with 违反. For example, saying '我违背法律' (I violate the law) is correct, but using it in a context meant for ethical breaches can be misleading. Always use 违背 for moral or ethical implications.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 违背
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Grammar Patterns of 违背
违背 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
该行为公然____了《维也纳公约》。
The action is an open violation of the Vienna Convention.
Example Sentences for 违背 (6)
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1
该行为公然违背了《维也纳公约》。
gāi háng wéi gōng rán wéi bèi le《 《 wéi yě nà gōng》。
The action is an open violation of the Vienna Convention.
2
他宁愿一枪打死自己也不愿违背自己的原则。
tā níng yuàn yī qiāng dǎ sǐ zì jǐ yě bù yuàn wéi bèi zì jǐ de yuán zé。
He would rather shoot himself than compromise his principles.
The judge called the decision "a flagrant violation of international law"
4
主任盛气凌人地走进来, 查问是谁违背了他的命令.
zhǔ rèn shèng qì líng rén dì zǒu jìn lái, , chá wèn shì shuí wéi bèi le tā de mìng.
The director sailed in, demanding to know who had disobeyed his orders.
5
照你的所作所为那样去行事,是违背上帝的意志的.
zhào nǐ de suǒ zuò suǒ wéi nà yàng qù háng shì, , shì wéi bèi shàng dì de yì zhì.
To act as you have done is to fly in the face of Providence.
6
总统背叛了他们，违背了不加税的诺言。
zǒng tǒng bèi pàn le tā mén， ， wéi bèi le bù jiā shuì de nuò。
The President betrayed them when he went back on his promise not to raise taxes.
Cultural Notes for 违背
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, maintaining harmony and fulfilling promises is highly valued, making the concept of 违背 particularly significant in social and professional relationships. Violating these expectations can lead to loss of face or social standing.
Frequently Asked Questions about 违背
Both mean to violate, but 违背 implies a moral or ethical breach, while 违反 is more often used for legal violations.
It's better to avoid it in casual contexts due to its serious implications; consider using simpler terms instead.
Yes, it always carries a negative connotation, suggesting wrongdoing or failure to adhere to accepted standards.
