Location Word: 后面 (hòumiàn) - Behind
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use {后面|hòumiàn} after a noun to indicate that something is located behind that object.
- Place the reference object first: {书|shū} {后面|hòumiàn} (behind the book).
- Use {在|zài} to indicate existence: {他在|tā zài} {学校|xuéxiào} {后面|hòumiàn} (He is behind the school).
- Combine with {的|de} for possession: {我的|wǒ de} {后面|hòumiàn} (behind me).
Overview
When navigating spatial relationships in Chinese, particularly concerning location, 后面 (hòumiàn) serves as the fundamental term for 'behind,' 'at the back,' or 'rear.' Unlike English prepositions which typically precede the noun they modify (e.g., 'behind the car'), Chinese spatial indicators like 后面 function more as nouns of location. This structural difference requires a shift in perspective, moving from an English-centric 'preposition + noun' model to a Chinese 'noun + location word' paradigm. Understanding 后面 is crucial for expressing physical placement, giving directions, and even conceptualizing sequential order in Chinese.
It's a foundational element of A2-level spatial grammar, enabling learners to articulate where objects or individuals are situated relative to a reference point.
Historically, the character 后 (hòu) primarily referred to the back or rear, often in contrast to 前 (qián) for front. The addition of 面 (miàn)—meaning 'face,' 'side,' or 'surface'—solidifies its role as a specific directional noun, translating literally to 'back side.' This contrasts with its usage in classical Chinese where 后 alone could sometimes imply location. In modern Mandarin, 后面 is the standard, unambiguous term for expressing 'behind' in physical space.
Mastering its application allows you to precisely describe your environment, from locating a shop behind another building to describing someone standing behind you in a queue. It is a high-frequency term essential for everyday communication.
How This Grammar Works
后面 (hòumiàn) is its function as a locative noun phrase component, not a preposition. In English, 'behind' is a preposition that governs a noun phrase, placing it before the object. For example, 'behind the house.' In Chinese, 后面 attaches after the reference object, effectively creating a compound noun that specifies the 'behind-side' of that object.上面 (shàngmiàn) for 'on top,' 下面 (xiàmiàn) for 'under').后面 acts like a noun that designates a specific region in space. When you say 桌子后面 (zhuōzi hòumiàn), you are literally referring to 'the table's behind-side' or 'the area behind the table.' The reference object (桌子 in this case) functions as the anchor, and 后面 specifies which part or side of that anchor is being discussed. This structure is consistent and predictable, making it a reliable pattern once understood.后面 can be used:- Independently when the reference object is implied or previously stated. For instance, if discussing a specific building, you might just say
后面有公园 (hòumiàn yǒu gōngyuán)('Behind it, there's a park'). - With a reference object to explicitly state what something is behind. For example,
书架后面 (shūjià hòumiàn)means 'behind the bookshelf.'
在 (zài)—meaning 'to be at/in/on'—is crucial when describing the location of a subject. 在 precedes the entire locative noun phrase. This forms the complete sentence structure for stating where something is.在, the phrase 参考物后面 (reference object behind) would simply be a descriptive noun phrase, not a statement of existence or location. For instance, 图书馆后面 (túshūguǎn hòumiàn) is 'behind the library,' but 图书馆后面有咖啡馆 (túshūguǎn hòumiàn yǒu kāfēiguǎn) means 'Behind the library, there is a café.' The 有 (yǒu) here serves a similar function to 在 by indicating existence at a location.Formation Pattern
后面 (hòumiàn) follows precise and consistent patterns. Mastering these structures will allow you to correctly express location in Chinese.
后面)
的 (de) is typically needed between the object and 后面 in most common usage, especially for simple, concrete nouns.
后面 | hòumiàn | 树后面 | shù hòumiàn | behind the tree |
后面 | hòumiàn | 北京大学后面 | Běijīng Dàxué hòumiàn | behind Peking University |
后面 | hòumiàn | 他后面 | tā hòumiàn | behind him |
请把书放在桌子后面。 (Qǐng bǎ shū fàng zài zhuōzi hòumiàn.) – "Please put the book behind the table."
我看到你躲在门后面。 (Wǒ kàndào nǐ duǒ zài mén hòumiàn.) – "I saw you hiding behind the door."
在 + Reference Object + 后面)
在 (zài) which means 'to be at/in/on.' 在 always precedes the entire locative phrase.
在 + [Noun] + 后面 | zài ... hòumiàn | 猫在沙发后面。 | Māo zài shāfā hòumiàn. | The cat is behind the sofa. |
在 + [Pronoun] + 后面 | zài ... hòumiàn | 小王在我后面。 | Xiǎo Wáng zài wǒ hòumiàn. | Xiao Wang is behind me. |
我的钱包在电视后面。 (Wǒ de qiánbāo zài diànshì hòumiàn.) – "My wallet is behind the TV."
经理办公室在会议室后面。 (Jīnglǐ bàngōngshì zài huìyìshì hòumiàn.) – "The manager's office is behind the conference room."
的 (de) with 后面 (Optional and Context-Dependent)
的 is generally omitted for brevity and natural flow, it can be used to emphasize or explicitly link the reference object to 后面. This is more common with longer, more complex reference phrases or when 后面 is treated more distinctly as a separate noun 'the back side.' However, for most everyday objects and persons, omitting 的 is standard.
的) | Example Pinyin | English Translation (with 的) |
的 + 后面 (less common) | de hòumiàn | 学校的后面 | xuéxiào de hòumiàn | the back of the school |
在 + [Noun] + 的 + 后面 (less common) | zài ... de hòumiàn | 他在房子的后面。 | Tā zài fángzi de hòumiàn. | He is at the back of the house. |
我的车停在银行后面。 (Wǒ de chē tíng zài yínháng hòumiàn.) – "My car is parked behind the bank." (More natural)
我的车停在银行的后面。 (Wǒ de chē tíng zài yínháng de hòumiàn.) – "My car is parked at the back of the bank." (Less common, but grammatically acceptable)
的 for greater fluency and naturalness. The general rule is: if it sounds natural without 的, then omit it. If the phrase becomes clunky or ambiguous, 的 might be considered, though alternatives are often preferred by native speakers.
When To Use It
后面 (hòumiàn) is indispensable for a wide range of spatial descriptions and directional instructions. Its usage extends beyond mere physical 'behindness' to include sequential order and even abstract 'backing' in specific contexts. Here's when and how to deploy 后面 effectively:后面 is the correct term.- Example 1 (Object location):
我的手机在书包后面。(Wǒ de shǒujī zài shūbāo hòumiàn.) – "My phone is behind the backpack." - Example 2 (Person location):
那个穿红色衣服的女孩在我后面。(Nàge chuān hóngsè yīfu de nǚhái zài wǒ hòumiàn.) – "That girl in the red dress is behind me." - Example 3 (Building/Place location):
邮局在超市后面。(Yóujú zài chāoshì hòumiàn.) – "The post office is behind the supermarket."
后面 is frequently used to guide someone to a location or to describe a route.- Example 1 (Guiding someone):
你直走，然后在我后面那个路口左转。(Nǐ zhízǒu, ránhòu zài wǒ hòumiàn nàge lùkǒu zuǒzhuǎn.) – "Go straight, then turn left at the intersection behind me." (Implies the speaker is ahead, and the intersection is further along the path.) - Example 2 (Locating a business):
洗手间在餐厅后面。(Xǐshǒujiān zài cāntīng hòumiàn.) – "The restroom is behind the restaurant." - Example 3 (During an event):
请在队伍后面排队。(Qǐng zài duìwǔ hòumiàn páiduì.) – "Please queue at the back of the line."
后面 can also denote sequential order, implying a position that comes after something else, particularly in queues, lines, or a series of events. This is a natural extension of its spatial meaning.- Example 1 (In a queue):
你排在谁后面？(Nǐ pái zài shéi hòumiàn?) – "Who are you queuing behind?" - Example 2 (In a sequence):
下一个节目在唱歌后面。(Xià yīge jiémù zài chànggē hòumiàn.) – "The next performance is after the singing." (Less common than以后for time, but contextually possible)
后面 simply refers to the rear portion or surface of an object, without implying another object is located there, but rather describing where something is on that object.- Example 1 (Referring to a surface):
你可以在这张纸的后面写名字。(Nǐ kěyǐ zài zhè zhāng zhǐ de hòumiàn xiě míngzi.) – "You can write your name on the back of this paper." - Example 2 (Describing a physical feature):
他的房子后面有一个大花园。(Tā de fángzi hòumiàn yǒu yīge dà huāyuán.) – "His house has a big garden at the back."
后面 almost exclusively refers to a physical or tangible 'behind.' For abstract or temporal 'after,' other terms are used, which will be contrasted in a later section.Common Mistakes
后面 (hòumiàn), primarily stemming from direct translation from English or a lack of understanding of Chinese locative structure. Avoiding these common errors will significantly improve your fluency and accuracy.在后面 [Noun]在后面我 (zài hòumiàn wǒ) meaning 'behind me.'- Why it's wrong: In Chinese,
在 (zài)precedes the entire locative phrase, and后面follows the reference object.在后面我would literally translate to 'at the behind side, me,' which is grammatically nonsensical. - The Fix: Always place the reference object between
在and后面. The correct structure is在 [Reference Object] 后面. So,在我后面(zài wǒ hòumiàn) means 'behind me.' - Incorrect:
小狗在后面椅子。(Xiǎogǒu zài hòumiàn yǐzi.) – The puppy is behind chair. - Correct:
小狗在椅子后面。(Xiǎogǒu zài yǐzi hòumiàn.) – The puppy is behind the chair.
在后面 (zài hòumiàn) without a preceding reference object means 'at the back' or 'in the rear' in a general sense, or refers to a contextually implied object. It does not mean 'behind X' if X is not mentioned. If you intend to specify what something is behind, the reference object is mandatory.- Why it's wrong:
在后面alone lacks specificity. If you want to say 'behind the car,' you must include车 (chē). - The Fix: When
后面needs to modify a specific noun, that noun must precede后面. If the context makes the object clear,在后面can be used. For example, if you just asked
Basic Formation
| Structure | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
|
Noun + 后面
|
桌子后面
|
Behind the table
|
|
在 + Noun + 后面
|
在桌子后面
|
At/in behind the table
|
|
Noun + 的 + 后面
|
我的后面
|
Behind me
|
|
Noun + 后面 + 有/是
|
后面有车
|
There is a car behind
|
|
Subject + 在 + Noun + 后面
|
他在门后面
|
He is behind the door
|
|
Noun + 后面 + 吗?
|
在门后面吗?
|
Is it behind the door?
|
Meanings
A spatial postposition used to denote the area or position at the back of a reference point.
Physical Location
The area directly behind an object or person.
“{桌子|zhuōzi} {后面|hòumiàn} {有|yǒu} {书|shū}.”
“{我|wǒ} {后面|hòumiàn} {是|shì} {谁|shéi}?”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Noun + 后面
|
书后面
|
|
Location
|
在 + Noun + 后面
|
在书后面
|
|
Possessive
|
Pronoun + 的 + 后面
|
我的后面
|
|
Question
|
在 + Noun + 后面 + 吗?
|
在书后面吗?
|
|
Negative
|
不 + 在 + Noun + 后面
|
不在书后面
|
|
Existence
|
Noun + 后面 + 有...
|
后面有人
|
Formality Spectrum
他位于房屋之后。 (General)
他在房子后面。 (General)
他在房子后头。 (General)
他在后边儿。 (General)
Spatial Relationships
Direction
- 后面 Behind
Examples by Level
{椅子|yǐzi} {后面|hòumiàn}
Behind the chair
{我|wǒ} {后面|hòumiàn}
Behind me
{学校|xuéxiào} {后面|hòumiàn}
Behind the school
{门|mén} {后面|hòumiàn}
Behind the door
{他在|tā zài} {房子|fángzi} {后面|hòumiàn}.
He is behind the house.
{车|chē} {后面|hòumiàn} {有|yǒu} {什么|shénme}?
What is behind the car?
{别|bié} {站|zhàn} {在|zài} {我|wǒ} {后面|hòumiàn}.
Don't stand behind me.
{公园|gōngyuán} {后面|hòumiàn} {很|hěn} {安静|ānjìng}.
Behind the park is very quiet.
{你|nǐ} {能|néng} {看|kàn} {到|dào} {那|nà} {棵|kē} {树|shù} {后面|hòumiàn} {的|de} {猫|māo} {吗|ma}?
Can you see the cat behind that tree?
{我们|wǒmen} {在|zài} {电影院|diànyǐngyuàn} {后面|hòumiàn} {见面|jiànmiàn}.
Let's meet behind the cinema.
{他|tā} {躲|duǒ} {在|zài} {窗帘|chuānglián} {后面|hòumiàn}.
He is hiding behind the curtain.
{这|zhè} {栋|dòng} {楼|lóu} {后面|hòumiàn} {是|shì} {停车场|tíngchēchǎng}.
Behind this building is a parking lot.
{这|zhè} {项|xiàng} {政策|zhèngcè} {后面|hòumiàn} {的|de} {逻辑|luójí} {是|shì} {什么|shénme}?
What is the logic behind this policy?
{他|tā} {总是|zǒngshì} {在|zài} {别人|biérén} {后面|hòumiàn} {说|shuō} {坏话|huàihuà}.
He always speaks ill of others behind their backs.
{我们|wǒmen} {需要|xūyào} {看|kàn} {到|dào} {现象|xiànxiàng} {后面|hòumiàn} {的|de} {本质|běnzhì}.
We need to see the essence behind the phenomenon.
{他|tā} {在|zài} {舞台|wǔtái} {后面|hòumiàn} {准备|zhǔnbèi} {演出|yǎnchū}.
He is preparing for the performance behind the stage.
{在|zài} {这|zhè} {场|chǎng} {危机|wēijī} {后面|hòumiàn}, {隐藏|yǐncáng} {着|zhe} {更|gèng} {深|shēn} {的|de} {原因|yuányīn}.
Behind this crisis, deeper reasons are hidden.
{他|tā} {在|zài} {成功|chénggōng} {后面|hòumiàn} {付出|fùchū} {了|le} {巨大|jùdà} {的|de} {努力|nǔlì}.
Behind his success, he paid a huge effort.
{我们|wǒmen} {必须|bìxū} {支持|zhīchí} {他|tā} {后面|hòumiàn} {的|de} {团队|tuánduì}.
We must support the team behind him.
{这|zhè} {幅|fú} {画|huà} {后面|hòumiàn} {有|yǒu} {一个|yī gè} {秘密|mìmì}.
There is a secret behind this painting.
{他|tā} {在|zài} {历史|lìshǐ} {的|de} {长河|chánghé} {后面|hòumiàn} {寻找|xúnzhǎo} {答案|dá'àn}.
He seeks answers behind the long river of history.
{这|zhè} {种|zhǒng} {文化|wénhuà} {现象|xiànxiàng} {后面|hòumiàn} {有着|yǒuzhe} {复杂|fùzá} {的|de} {根源|gēnyuán}.
Behind this cultural phenomenon lies complex roots.
{他|tā} {总是|zǒngshì} {在|zài} {幕后|mùhòu} {支持|zhīchí} {着|zhe} {我们|wǒmen}.
He always supports us from behind the scenes.
{在|zài} {这|zhè} {一切|yīqiè} {后面|hòumiàn}, {是|shì} {他|tā} {对|duì} {艺术|yìshù} {的|de} {执着|zhízhuó}.
Behind all this is his persistence for art.
Easily Confused
Both contain '后'.
Opposites.
Synonyms.
Common Mistakes
后面桌子
桌子后面
他在桌子
他在桌子后面
后面我的
我的后面
在后面桌子
在桌子后面
Sentence Patterns
___ 后面有 ___
他在 ___ 后面
___ 的后面是 ___
在 ___ 后面，我发现了 ___
Real World Usage
在车站后面。
我在店后面。
这是计划后面的原因。
放在门后面。
酒店后面有地铁。
照片后面的故事。
Think 'My Back'
Don't use with Time (yet)
Taxi Directions
Smart Tips
Always think: Object + Location Word.
Stop! Use 以后.
Use 在哪里.
Always add 'de'.
Pronunciation
Tone
hòu (4th) miàn (neutral).
Statement
他在后面。 (Falling tone)
Declarative
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Ho-mian' as 'Home-in' on the back side of something.
Visual Association
Imagine a person hiding behind a giant tree. The person is the subject, the tree is the reference.
Rhyme
To find the place where things are hidden, use 'houmian' for things behind-en.
Story
Xiao Ming is playing hide and seek. He runs behind the sofa. His mom asks, 'Where is he?' She looks behind the sofa and finds him.
Word Web
Challenge
Look around your room and name 3 things behind other things using 'X 后面'.
Cultural Notes
Commonly used in daily navigation.
Often uses '后边' (hòubiān).
Often adds '儿' (er) suffix.
Derived from classical Chinese spatial markers.
Conversation Starters
你的家后面有什么？
你现在坐在谁的后面？
你觉得这件事情后面有什么原因？
在现代社会，科技后面隐藏着什么？
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
他在桌子___。
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
后面学校。
在 / 后面 / 他 / 门
Behind the car.
Answer starts with: 车后面...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
A: 他在哪？ B: 他在___。
后面 can be used for time.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises他在桌子___。
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
后面学校。
在 / 后面 / 他 / 门
Behind the car.
Match 'Behind the house'.
A: 他在哪？ B: 他在___。
后面 can be used for time.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises{在|zài} / {书店|shūdiàn} / {咖啡馆|kāfēiguǎn} / {后面|hòumiàn}
Behind the hospital
{请|qǐng} {看|kàn} {页|yè} ___ {的|de} {练习|liànxí}。(Please look at the exercises behind/on the back of the page)
Select the natural phrase:
{银行|yínháng} {在|zài} {超市|chāoshì} {后|hòu}。
Match the Chinese to English
A: Where is my bag? ({包|bāo} {在|zài} {哪儿|nǎr}?) B: It's behind the sofa. B: {在|zài} {沙发|shāfā} ___。
How do you tell someone to stand behind you?
{大树|dàshù} / {房子|fángzi} / {后面|hòumiàn} / {有|yǒu} / {一|yī} {棵|kē}
Translate to Chinese
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
No, use 以后.
It is neutral.
They are the same.
Only for possession.
Before the noun.
Yes.
Yes, often as 后边.
Use 在哪里.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
detrás de
Word order.
derrière
Positioning.
hinter
Case usage.
後ろ (ushiro)
Particle usage.
خلف (khalfa)
Structure.
后面
None.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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