背书

背書

bèishū

verb #39,744

Meanings

1 to endorse (a check, product, candidate)
2 to recite from memory
3 endorsement

Characters

back / to recite

book / document

Examples

HSK 3

小时候老师要我们每天背书。

Xiǎoshíhou lǎoshī yào wǒmen měitiān bèishū.

As kids, our teacher made us recite texts from memory every day.

HSK 7-9

请在支票背面背书。

Qǐng zài zhīpiào bèimiàn bèishū.

Please endorse the back of the check.

Tips

usage

Two unrelated meanings sharing 背 (back). (1) Financial: to sign the BACK of a negotiable instrument - matches English 'endorse' perfectly, where 'dorsum' = back. (2) Educational: to recite with your BACK to the book. Context disambiguates. Extended metaphorical sense 'to endorse a person/product' is now common in media.

Stroke Order

背 bēi

书 shū