避讳 (bì huì) — (verb) to avoid mentioning (a taboo or sensitive topic); to dodge (a subject); (noun) a taboo; something one avoids mentioning
Definition
Literally 'avoid taboo': the verb means to deliberately dodge a sensitive or forbidden topic; the noun names the taboo itself. Rooted in the imperial Chinese custom of avoiding emperors' and elders' given names.
verb
to avoid mentioning (a taboo or sensitive topic)to dodge (a subject)
noun
a taboosomething one avoids mentioning
Examples
- ，避讳。Zài zhōng guó gǔ dài, rén men bì xū bì huì huáng dì de míng zì.In ancient China, people had to avoid using the emperor's personal name.
- ，避讳。Tā shuō huà hěn zhí jiē, cóng lái bú bì huì shén me.He speaks very directly and never avoids any topic.
- 避讳，。Zhè ge huà tí shì gè bì huì, dà jiā dōu bú yuàn yì tán.This topic is a taboo — nobody wants to talk about it.
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