Translation guide
The English word "back" has many meanings. This guide covers the most useful ones for learners: body part, rear position, return, support, and more. Japanese uses different words depending on the meaning.
The rear surface of the human body from shoulders to hips.
The most common word for the back of the body.
背中がかゆい。
My back itches.
彼は背中を壁にもたれかけた。
He leaned his back against the wall.
Can mean back or stature. Often used in compounds or set phrases.
Using 背 alone for the body part is less common than 背中.
背が高い。
He is tall. (lit. back is high)
The side or part that is behind or opposite the front.
General word for behind, back, rear. Used for spatial position.
To go back, come back, or put something back.
To support a person, idea, or project.
To support, back (a project, person, cause). Formal.
彼の計画を支援する。
I back his plan.
To support, endorse (an opinion, person, political party).
Referring to a past time.
Use [time period] + 前 to mean "... ago" or "... back".
3年前に日本に来た。
I came to Japan three years back.
The last part or end of something.
Back of a line, queue, or physical sequence.
To pay back money or get back at someone.
To return, give back, pay back (money, object).
The loanword バック (bakku) means 'back' as in background, backing up, or reverse, but not the body part. Use 背中 for the body.
背中が痛い。
My back hurts.
後ろ is general 'behind'. 裏 is the reverse side of a flat object or hidden side. 奥 is the inner back of a space. Choose based on what kind of 'back' you mean.
車の後ろに立っている。
He is standing behind the car.
後ろを見て。
Look behind you.
Back side of a flat object (paper, card, cloth) or the reverse side. Also used for back streets or the hidden side.
紙の裏に書いてください。
Please write on the back of the paper.
裏口から入る。
Enter through the back door.
Back or inner part of a room, building, or area. Not for objects.
店の奥に座った。
I sat in the back of the store.
Intransitive verb: to return, go back (oneself).
Transitive verb: to put back, return something.
本を棚に戻してください。
Please put the book back on the shelf.
To go back home or to one's base. Implies returning to where one belongs.
もう帰らなくちゃ。
I have to go back (home) now.
Used in phrases like 折り返し電話する (call back) or 折り返し連絡する (get back to someone).
折り返し電話します。
I'll call you back.
その政策を支持します。
I back that policy.
To give a push from behind, to back up, support. More figurative.
友達が後押ししてくれた。
My friends backed me up.
Long ago, back in the day.
昔はここに店があった。
Back in the day, there was a shop here.
列の後ろに並んでください。
Please line up at the back of the line.
The very end, last part (of a book, event, etc.).
本の最後に答えが載っている。
The answers are in the back of the book.
Colophon, back matter of a book (publishing info).
奥付を見て発行日を確認した。
I checked the publication date on the back of the book.
借りたお金を返す。
Pay back borrowed money.
To get back at someone, take revenge.
彼に仕返しをしてやる。
I'll get back at him.