后台 hòutái backstage area
backstage area; behind-the-scenes supporter; (computing) back-end; background
How to remember 后台: 后 back + 台 platform = backstage area.
Characters
How it is used
- Three senses: literal backstage (演员在后台 yǎnyuán zài hòutái actors are backstage), a powerful backer/patron (他后台很硬 tā hòutái hěn yìng he has strong connections), and the computing back-end/background.
- The patron sense is colloquial and often implies unfair pull. Context decides.