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bèitāi: 备胎 - Spare Tire, Backup Plan, Rebound (in relationships)
Quick Summary
- Keywords: beitai, 备胎, what does beitai mean, Chinese slang spare tire, backup boyfriend, backup girlfriend, rebound relationship China, second choice, Chinese dating terms, on the back burner
- Summary: “备胎” (bèitāi) is a popular Chinese slang term that literally translates to “spare tire.” In modern dating culture, it vividly describes a person who is kept as a backup romantic option—someone to fall back on if a primary relationship or interest fails. This term captures the painful, one-sided dynamic of being a “second choice” or “rebound,” and is essential for understanding the nuances of modern relationships in China.
Core Meaning
- Pinyin (with tone marks):