背影 bèiyǐng rear view
rear view; figure seen from behind; view of the back (of a person or object)
How to remember 背影: 背 back + 影 shadows = rear view.
Characters
How it is used
- The view of someone from behind - their receding back - 望着他离去的背影 (wàng zhe tā líqù de bèiyǐng) watching his departing figure.
- Emotionally loaded in Chinese culture (famous Zhu Ziqing essay 《背影》); evokes parting, longing, or a parent's love.
- Concrete noun but almost always carries a wistful mood.