背中（せなか）
JLPT N5 · noun
Pitch accent: heiban (flat) — starts low, stays high, no drop
Meaning: back
Example sentences
- 荷物を背中に背負って歩く。 — I walk carrying my luggage on my back.
- 背中がかゆいので、かいてもらう。 — My back is itchy, so I ask someone to scratch it.
Idioms & proverbs containing “背中”
- 子供は親の背中を見て育つ (こどもはおやのせなかをみてそだつ) — children grow up watching their parents
- 背中を押す (せなかをおす) — to push someone (towards); to encourage someone
- 背中を追う (せなかをおう) — to walk behind someone
- 背中で語る (せなかでかたる) — to let one's actions do the talking; to lead by example; to walk the talk
Related words
See it used in real works
- Example sentences from Japanese novels & web fiction (Massif)
- Hear “背中” pronounced in real videos (YouGlish)