Definition

1. Noun:
   • Backstage (in a theater): The area behind the stage, including wings and dressing rooms, not visible to the audience, where performers prepare and stagehands work.
   • Backing / Support (figurative): A person or group with power and influence who provides crucial, often behind-the-scenes, support or protection for someone else.

Usage Examples

• Noun (literal):

  • Diễn viên đang chờ ở hậu đài. (The actor is waiting backstage.)
  • Âm thanh từ hậu đài vọng ra. (The sound from backstage echoed out.)

• Noun (figurative):

  • Anh ta làm ăn thế nào cũng được vì có hậu đài vững chắc. (He can do business any way he wants because he has solid backing.)
  • Vụ án đó bị bưng bít do có nhiều hậu đài. (That case was covered up because it involved many powerful supporters.)

Advanced Usage

• The figurative usage is common in social, political, and business contexts to imply unofficial patronage or protection from a powerful entity.

Variants and Related Words

• Hậu trường (n): Backstage; behind the scenes. Often used interchangeably with "hậu đài" in the literal sense but more commonly for the figurative meaning of "the inside story" or "behind-the-scenes" affairs.
  • Phóng viên điều tra hậu trường vụ tham nhũng. (The journalist investigated the behind-the-scenes story of the corruption case.)

Synonyms

• Backstage: The area behind a theater stage.
• Patron: A person who gives financial or other support.
• Backer: A person, institution, or country that supports someone or something, especially financially.

Related Idioms

• Có hậu đài / Có hậu thuẫn: To have backing/support. This is the most common idiomatic phrase.
  • Công ty nhỏ đó cạnh tranh được là nhờ có hậu đài. (That small company can compete because it has powerful backing.)