wéibèi: 违背 - To Violate, Go Against, Contravene

• Keywords: weibei, wéibèi, 违背, what does weibei mean, violate in Chinese, go against in Chinese, disobey in Chinese, break a promise Chinese, Chinese word for contravene, formal Chinese vocabulary, HSK 5
• Summary: Learn the Chinese word 违背 (wéibèi), a formal term meaning to violate, go against, or contravene. This guide breaks down its meaning, cultural significance, and practical usage. Discover how 违背 is used to talk about breaking a promise, violating a principle, or going against one's conscience, with 10 practical example sentences and analysis perfect for learners.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): wéibèi
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To go against or act contrary to a principle, promise, rule, or desire.
• In a Nutshell: 违背 (wéibèi) is a strong, formal word used when an action goes against something important and often abstract. Think of it as “to contravene” or “to violate the spirit of” something. It’s not for breaking minor rules, but for serious transgressions like going against your conscience, breaking a solemn promise, or violating a fundamental principle.

• 违 (wéi): This character means “to go against” or “to disobey.” The 辶 (chuò) radical on the left means “to walk” or indicates movement. This suggests an action of moving away from or diverging from a correct path or established rule.
• 背 (bèi): This character means “back” (as in the body part) or “to turn one's back on.” In this context, it implies turning away from and rejecting something you should be facing, like a responsibility or a promise.
• Combined Meaning: Together, 违背 (wéibèi) literally means “to go against and turn one's back on.” This powerful combination creates a sense of a deliberate and serious violation of a trust, principle, or established norm.

In Chinese culture, which places a high value on social harmony, fulfilling obligations, and adhering to established principles (原则, yuánzé), the concept of 违背 (wéibèi) carries significant weight. It's more than just “breaking a rule.” Compare this to the English word “break.” You can “break” a minor house rule without much consequence. However, using 违背 implies a more profound moral or ethical failure. To 违背 a promise (违背诺言) is not just to fail to do something, but to betray the trust that was given. To 违背 one's conscience (违背良心) is seen as a deep personal failing. This word reflects a worldview where actions are often judged against a backdrop of collective expectations, moral principles, and natural order. Using 违背 signals that the transgression is not a simple mistake but a serious deviation from what is considered right, proper, or natural.

违背 (wéibèi) is primarily a formal term. You will encounter it most often in written language, formal speeches, news reports, and serious discussions. It's not a word you'd use casually with friends about everyday matters.

• Legal and Official Contexts: It's frequently used to describe actions that contravene laws, regulations, or agreements.
  • `他的行为违背了合同精神。` (His actions violated the spirit of the contract.)
• Moral and Ethical Discussions: This is a very common context, where it's used to talk about violating abstract but important concepts.
  • `为了钱而违背自己的原则是不值得的。` (It's not worth it to go against your principles for money.)
• Serious Interpersonal Conflicts: In a personal setting, using 违背 elevates the seriousness of an accusation. It implies a betrayal of a core value or expectation in the relationship.
  • `你违背了我们当初的约定。` (You went back on the agreement we made at the beginning.)

The connotation is almost always negative and serious.

• Example 1:
  • 他的决定违背了公司的基本原则。
  • Pinyin: Tā de juédìng wéibèi le gōngsī de jīběn yuánzé.
  • English: His decision went against the company's fundamental principles.
  • Analysis: A classic, formal usage. 违背 is paired with 原则 (yuánzé - principle), showing a violation of a core tenet, not just a minor rule.
• Example 2:
  • 他因为害怕而说了谎，违背了自己的良心。
  • Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi hàipà ér shuōle huǎng, wéibèi le zìjǐ de liángxīn.
  • English: He lied out of fear, going against his own conscience.
  • Analysis: This highlights the moral dimension of 违背. 良心 (liángxīn - conscience) is a common abstract concept that is “violated” with this word.
• Example 3:
  • 你不能违背你对我的诺言。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ bùnéng wéibèi nǐ duì wǒ de nuòyán.
  • English: You can't go back on your promise to me.
  • Analysis: 诺言 (nuòyán - promise) is a solemn word for promise, and 违背 is the appropriate verb for breaking such a serious commitment.
• Example 4:
  • 这种做法违背了自然规律。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zhǒng zuòfǎ wéibèi le zìrán guīlǜ.
  • English: This practice goes against the laws of nature.
  • Analysis: Here, 违背 is used for something even more fundamental than human rules—the natural order. This shows the word's broad applicability to foundational principles.
• Example 5:
  • 任何违背法律的行为都将受到惩罚。
  • Pinyin: Rènhé wéibèi fǎlǜ de xíngwéi dōu jiāng shòudào chéngfá.
  • English: Any act that violates the law will be punished.
  • Analysis: In a legal context, 违背 can be used like 违反 (wéifǎn), but often implies going against the “spirit” or “intent” of the law, making it sound very formal and official.
• Example 6:
  • 他最终选择违背父母的意愿，去追求自己的梦想。
  • Pinyin: Tā zuìzhōng xuǎnzé wéibèi fùmǔ de yìyuàn, qù zhuīqiú zìjǐ de mèngxiǎng.
  • English: He ultimately chose to go against his parents' wishes to pursue his own dream.
  • Analysis: This usage shows a conflict between personal desire and familial duty. 意愿 (yìyuàn - wish/will) is less binding than a rule, but violating it is still a serious step, making 违背 appropriate.
• Example 7:
  • 这位官员的言论违背了政府的官方立场。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi guānyuán de yánlùn wéibèi le zhèngfǔ de guānfāng lìchǎng.
  • English: This official's comments contradicted the government's official position.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates use in a political or organizational context. The action (comments) is contrary to the established stance (立场).
• Example 8:
  • 我们不应该做任何违背体育精神的事情。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bù yìnggāi zuò rènhé wéibèi tǐyù jīngshén de shìqíng.
  • English: We shouldn't do anything that violates the spirit of sportsmanship.
  • Analysis: 体育精神 (tǐyù jīngshén - spirit of sportsmanship) is another abstract ideal that can be “violated” using 违背.
• Example 9:
  • 他的行为与他所宣称的价值观完全违背。
  • Pinyin: Tā de xíngwéi yǔ tā suǒ xuānchēng de jiàzhíguān wánquán wéibèi.
  • English: His actions are in complete contradiction to the values he claims to have.
  • Analysis: This highlights hypocrisy. The structure “A 与 B 违背” means “A and B are contrary to each other.”
• Example 10:
  • 这个新政策似乎违背了公平竞争的原则。
  • Pinyin: Zhège xīn zhèngcè sìhū wéibèi le gōngpíng jìngzhēng de yuánzé.
  • English: This new policy seems to contravene the principle of fair competition.
  • Analysis: Used here to critique or analyze a policy by measuring it against a core principle like “fair competition” (公平竞争).

• Don't Use for Minor Rules: A common mistake for learners is using 违背 for trivial matters. You don't 违背 your diet by eating a cookie, nor do you 违背 a “no talking in the library” sign. For these, you would use simpler verbs like `吃 (chī)` or `说话 (shuōhuà)`, or for rule-breaking, the more general `违反 (wéifǎn)`.
  • Incorrect: 我违背了我的节食计划。(Wǒ wéibèi le wǒ de jiéshí jìhuà.)
  • Correct: 我今天没忍住，破戒了。(Wǒ jīntiān méi rěnzhù, pòjiè le.) - “I couldn't hold back today and broke my rule/diet.”
• 违背 (wéibèi) vs. 违反 (wéifǎn): This is the most important distinction.
  • 违反 (wéifǎn): Use this for specific, concrete, often written rules, regulations, and laws. Think “violate a traffic rule” (`违反交通规则`) or “violate school regulations” (`违反校规`).
  • 违背 (wéibèi): Use this for abstract concepts: principles, promises, wishes, conscience, the laws of nature, the spirit of something. You can 违背 your conscience (`违背良心`), but you cannot 违反 it.

• 违反 (wéifǎn) - To violate (a concrete rule or law). More specific and less focused on abstract principles than `违背`.
• 违抗 (wéikàng) - To defy or disobey (a command or order). Emphasizes active resistance against authority.
• 背叛 (bèipàn) - To betray. Much stronger than `违背`, implying disloyalty to a person, country, or cause. It's an act against a relationship.
• 遵守 (zūnshǒu) - To abide by, to comply with. The direct antonym of `违背` and `违反`.
• 辜负 (gūfù) - To let down, to fail to live up to expectations or trust. It's softer than `违背` and focuses on the emotional result of disappointing someone.
• 原则 (yuánzé) - Principle. A noun that is very frequently the object of `违背`.
• 诺言 (nuòyán) - A solemn promise. Another common object of `违背`.
• 良心 (liángxīn) - Conscience. An abstract concept that is “gone against” with `违背`.