<p><strong>後備</strong>(reserve/<strong>backup</strong>) - opposite of 先發(starting) / 正選(primary)</p>

<p><strong>副選</strong>/<strong>次選</strong> (<strong>secondary option</strong>/ secondary selection) opposite of 首選 (first choice/ first option) or 正選 (primary)</p>

<p>e.g. </p>

<ul>
<li><p>北京大學是我的首選, 天津大學是<strong>後備</strong> (Peking University is my first choice, Tianjin University is the <strong>backup</strong>)</p></li>
<li><p>北京大學是我的首選, 天津大學是我<strong>副選</strong>/ <strong>次選</strong> (Peking University is my first choice, Tianjin University is my <strong>secondary option</strong>)</p></li>
<li><p>先發球員 (starter)- 後備球員 (bench player)</p></li>
<li><p>正選球員 (starter)- 副選球員 (second string player)</p></li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-20T23:27:00.590Z
2017-08-21T00:18:22.557Z
2017-08-21T00:18:22.557Z
Tang Ho
<p>'backup' being short for 'backup plan', I would go with '备选方案’， which can be translated as 'alternative'.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-21T00:01:06.387Z
2017-08-21T00:01:06.387Z
Pedroski
<p><a href="http://www.tuxi.com.cn/viewtsg-17-0326-10-40072632_640221808.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">AP2016高二年级College Research Project大学选校及信</a></p>

<p>says (emphasis my own):</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>易楚崴William（高二1班）</p>
  
  <p>这是William同学根据自己的情况列出的选校目录，其中分为了Dream School（梦想冲刺学校）、Match School（匹配学校）、以及<strong>Backup School（保底学校）</strong>。</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-21T08:00:43.797Z
2017-08-21T08:00:43.797Z
Mou某
<p>In day to day conversation, I frequently use the word "backup" to refer to a dependable but perhaps slightly less desirable option.  For example, </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>When applying to college, you should apply to 10 dream schools and 10 <em>backup</em> schools</p>
</blockquote>

<p>or</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>I know this is not your first choice, but it is a good <em>backup</em>.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>How can I translate the word "backup" used in this context?</p>

<p>Someone once told me that 保底 has this meaning. Is that correct? </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-21T01:14:52.730Z
保底 is something secured as the bottom line and often used in finance. It can be used in this context. Other terms, suggested in below answers, are better in this situation. Another similar term is 备胎 （spare wheel/tire） . If you want to make some funny effect, you could say those 10 schools would be my 备胎. You could also be someone's 备胎：If he/she did not marry somebody else, he/she would marry you.
dan
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-22T05:02:03.123Z
备选 candidate；替代方案 alternative，次要方案 (secondary)，变通方案(workaround)。
Daniel Yang
<word-requests>
How to say "backup (option)"?
# How to say "backup (option)"?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-08-20)

In day to day conversation, I frequently use the word "backup" to refer to a dependable but perhaps slightly less desirable option. For example,

> When applying to college, you should apply to 10 dream schools and 10 *backup* schools

or

> I know this is not your first choice, but it is a good *backup*.

How can I translate the word "backup" used in this context?

Someone once told me that 保底 has this meaning. Is that correct?

**Tags:** word-requests

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: 保底 is something secured as the bottom line and often used in finance. It can be used in this context. Other terms, suggested in below answers, are better in this situation. Another similar term is 备胎 （spare wheel/tire） . If you want to make some funny effect, you could say those 10 schools would be my 备胎. You could also be someone's 备胎：If he/she did not marry somebody else, he/she would marry you.  
> **username_2**: 备选 candidate；替代方案 alternative，次要方案 (secondary)，变通方案(workaround)。  

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## 3 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2017-08-20. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

**後備**(reserve/**backup**) - opposite of 先發(starting) / 正選(primary)

**副選**/**次選** (**secondary option**/ secondary selection) opposite of 首選 (first choice/ first option) or 正選 (primary)

e.g.

* 北京大學是我的首選, 天津大學是**後備** (Peking University is my first choice, Tianjin University is the **backup**)
* 北京大學是我的首選, 天津大學是我**副選**/ **次選** (Peking University is my first choice, Tianjin University is my **secondary option**)
* 先發球員 (starter)- 後備球員 (bench player)
* 正選球員 (starter)- 副選球員 (second string player)


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### Answer by username_4 on 2017-08-21. Score: 1

'backup' being short for 'backup plan', I would go with '备选方案’， which can be translated as 'alternative'.


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### Answer by username_5 on 2017-08-21. Score: 0

[AP2016高二年级College Research Project大学选校及信](http://www.tuxi.com.cn/viewtsg-17-0326-10-40072632_640221808.html)

says (emphasis my own):

> 易楚崴William（高二1班）
>
> 这是William同学根据自己的情况列出的选校目录，其中分为了Dream School（梦想冲刺学校）、Match School（匹配学校）、以及**Backup School（保底学校）**。


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