后备

後備

hòubèi

noun HSK 7-9 #3,959

Meanings

1 reserve; backup; standby

Characters

to prepare; to equip

Literally 'prepared for later' — something kept in reserve.

Examples

我们需要后备方案。

Wǒmen xūyào hòubèi fāng'àn.

We need a backup plan.

后备力量很重要。

Hòubèi lìliàng hěn zhòngyào.

Reserve forces are important.

Tips

usage

后备 is used as a modifier: 后备力量 (reserve force), 后备人才 (backup talent), 后备方案 (backup plan). In dating slang, 备胎 (bèitāi, 'spare tire') — which uses the same 备 — means a backup romantic option.

Stroke Order

后 hòu

备 bèi