背 景(はいけい)

はいけい

noun

background; backdrop; context

1. background (of an image or scene)

The visual rear portion of a picture, photograph, or scene — what lies behind the main subject.

背景(はいけい)に富士山(ふじさん)が写(うつ)っている。

Mt. Fuji is in the background of the photo.

背景(はいけい)を白(しろ)に設定(せってい)してください。

Please set the background to white.

舞台(ぶたい)の背景(はいけい)がとても美(うつく)しかった。

The backdrop of the stage was very beautiful.

2. background; context; circumstances

The circumstances, history, or context underlying an event, decision, or person. Often used to explain why something happened.

事件(じけん)の背景(はいけい)を調(しら)べる。

To investigate the background of the incident.

彼(かれ)の成功(せいこう)には家族(かぞく)の支(ささ)えという背景(はいけい)がある。

Behind his success lies the support of his family.

この政策(せいさく)が導入(どうにゅう)された背景(はいけい)には、長年(ながねん)の議論(ぎろん)があった。

Behind the introduction of this policy were many years of debate.

Composed of 背(はい) (back) + 景(けい) (scene). Covers both literal visual backgrounds and figurative contextual backgrounds. The figurative sense is very common in journalism and analysis.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

背景(はいけい)画像(がぞう): background image
背景(はいけい)色(いろ): background color
背景(はいけい)音楽(おんがく): background music (often abbreviated BGM)
背景(はいけい)を調(しら)べる: to investigate the background
背景(はいけい)には〜がある: behind ~ lies
社会(しゃかい)的(てき)背景(はいけい): social background; social context
家庭(かてい)背景(はいけい): family background

SIMILAR WORDS:

背後(はいご): behind; rear — physical position, or a hidden actor pulling strings
裏(うら): behind the scenes; reverse side — emphasizes what is hidden
状況(じょうきょう): situation — the current state, not the prior context

general

Added 2026.5.29 12:08

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