“后门” can literally mean a back door, but more commonly refers to using illicit means or connections to gain an unfair advantage.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Literal: A back entrance to a building.
- Figurative: Using unfair means or connections.
- Often implies corruption or unfair advantage.
概述
“后门” 这个词在中文中有两种主要含义。最直接的意思是物理上的“后门”，即位于建筑物背面或后面的出入口，与“前门”相对。例如，很多商店或住家除了正门外，都会有一个方便货物进出或员工使用的后门。
更常用且带有强烈引申义的是指通过不正当、不公开的手段或关系来谋取私利、规避规则或获得优势。这种“走后门”的行为通常被视为不公平、不道德，甚至可能违法，因此这个词在引申义上常带有贬义。
用法模式
当指物理上的门时，可以直接作名词使用，如“开后门”、“关后门”。
当指引申义时，常与动词“走”搭配，形成“走后门”，表示通过非正当途径。也可以作名词，如“开后门”指为某人提供不正当的便利，或“后门”本身指这种不正当的途径或便利。例如，“他通过后门才进了那所大学”表示他通过不正当手段入学。
常见语境
物理意义: 在描述建筑结构、逃生路线、货物进出或隐私出入时使用。例如：“请从后门进入。”、“商店的后门通常是员工通道。”
引申意义: 在讨论考试作弊、招聘不公、入学舞弊、项目审批、医疗资源分配等涉及公平竞争和规则遵守的场合。例如：“他想走后门进公司，被拒绝了。”、“这种通过后门获得成功的做法是不可取的。”
近似词比较
旁门左道 (pángmén zuǒdào): 这是一个成语，指不正派的宗教派别或学术流派，也指不正当的方法或途径。与“后门”的引申义有相似之处，都指非正当手段，但“旁门左道”更强调方法的偏邪和不正统，而“后门”更侧重于利用关系或特权。
捷径 (jiéjìng): 指较近便的道路或方法。它可以是中性的，指高效、省时的方法，也可以带有贬义，指投机取巧。与“后门”相比，“捷径”不一定是不正当的，但“后门”则明确指不正当的途径。
走关系 (zǒu guānxì): 这是一个动词短语，指利用人际关系来达到某种目的。它与“走后门”非常接近，甚至可以说“走后门”是“走关系”的一种具体表现形式。但“走关系”的范围更广，不一定都带有贬义，有时只是指利用正常的人脉资源，而“走后门”则明确指向不正当的便利。
Examples
请从商店的后门把货物搬进来。
everydayPlease bring the goods in through the back door of the store.
任何试图通过“走后门”的方式获取不正当利益的行为都将受到严肃处理。
formalAny attempt to gain illicit benefits by 'going through the back door' will be dealt with severely.
你别老想着走后门，还是老老实实努力吧。
informalDon't always think about using connections; just work hard honestly.
这种“后门交易”严重损害了教育公平性原则。
academicThis kind of 'backdoor deal' seriously undermines the principle of educational fairness.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
走后门
to use the back door (figurative)
开后门
to open the back door (to provide illicit convenience)
后门交易
backdoor deal
Often Confused With
“前门” means front door. While literally opposite, “后门” often carries a negative figurative meaning of illicit access, whereas “前门” implies legitimate, open access.
“侧门” means side door. It's a neutral term for an alternative entrance, lacking the strong figurative connotations of “后门” regarding unfair practices.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
“后门” is a versatile noun. When referring to a physical door, it is neutral. However, its figurative use, especially in the phrase “走后门” (to go through the back door), carries a strong negative connotation, implying unfairness, corruption, or using illicit connections. It is widely understood in this negative sense across various registers.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is to use “后门” in its figurative sense without understanding its negative implications, potentially offending listeners or misrepresenting a situation. Another error is to confuse it with “捷径” (shortcut), which can be neutral, whereas “后门” is almost always negative in its figurative sense. Always consider the context to determine if a physical door or an illicit method is being discussed.
Tips
Understand the Dual Meaning
“后门” has a literal meaning (physical back door) and a widely used figurative meaning (using illicit connections). Context is key to distinguishing them.
Negative Connotations
When used figuratively, “后门” almost always carries a negative connotation, implying unfairness, corruption, or breaking rules. Avoid using it positively.
Social Commentary
The concept of “走后门” (using back doors) is a common topic in Chinese society, often reflecting concerns about fairness, privilege, and social justice.
Word Origin
“后门” is a compound word formed from “后” (hòu, meaning back/behind) and “门” (mén, meaning door/gate). Its literal meaning has existed for centuries. The figurative meaning of using illicit means or connections evolved from the idea of entering or exiting discreetly, often to avoid scrutiny or established procedures.
Cultural Context
The concept of “走后门” (using back doors) is deeply embedded in Chinese culture, reflecting historical practices of guanxi (personal connections) and patronage. It often symbolizes social inequality and corruption, making it a frequently discussed topic in media and daily conversations when addressing issues of fairness in education, employment, or public services.
Memory Tip
Imagine a secret, hidden door at the back that only special people can use to bypass the line. This 'back door' lets them get ahead unfairly, which helps you remember its figurative meaning of illicit access.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“后门”的字面意思是指建筑物或围墙后面的门，通常与“前门”相对，用于出入。
“走后门”是指通过不正当、非公开的途径或利用特殊关系来达到目的。这个说法通常带有贬义，因为它暗示了不公平和特权。
“前门”通常指主入口或正式入口，而“后门”指次要入口，常用于服务、货物进出或私密通道。在引申义上，“前门”代表光明正大、按规矩办事，而“后门”则代表不正当手段。
当谈论到入学、招聘、升职、项目审批等需要公平竞争的场合，如果有人通过非正常手段获得优势，就可以说他们“走后门”了。
Test Yourself
他想通过______进入那家公司，但最终没有成功。
“走后门”指通过不正当手段，与句意“没有成功”暗示的非正常途径相符。
A. 请从后门出去，前门正在维修。 B. 他通过后门，获得了那个稀缺的入学名额。 C. 商店的后门通常是员工通道。 D. 小偷从后门溜走了。
选项B中的“通过后门获得入学名额”明显是指通过不正当手段，而非物理上的门。
请用“后门”造句。
选项B明确使用了“走后门”的引申义，表示通过不正当手段，并表达了拒绝这种做法的态度。
Score: /3
Summary
“后门” can literally mean a back door, but more commonly refers to using illicit means or connections to gain an unfair advantage.
- Literal: A back entrance to a building.
- Figurative: Using unfair means or connections.
- Often implies corruption or unfair advantage.
Understand the Dual Meaning
“后门” has a literal meaning (physical back door) and a widely used figurative meaning (using illicit connections). Context is key to distinguishing them.
Negative Connotations
When used figuratively, “后门” almost always carries a negative connotation, implying unfairness, corruption, or breaking rules. Avoid using it positively.
Social Commentary
The concept of “走后门” (using back doors) is a common topic in Chinese society, often reflecting concerns about fairness, privilege, and social justice.
Examples
4 of 4请从商店的后门把货物搬进来。
Please bring the goods in through the back door of the store.
任何试图通过“走后门”的方式获取不正当利益的行为都将受到严肃处理。
Any attempt to gain illicit benefits by 'going through the back door' will be dealt with severely.
你别老想着走后门，还是老老实实努力吧。
Don't always think about using connections; just work hard honestly.
这种“后门交易”严重损害了教育公平性原则。
This kind of 'backdoor deal' seriously undermines the principle of educational fairness.
