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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.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

避bìavoid
讳huìtaboo name

避 (avoid) acts on 讳 (taboo name), giving evasion of forbidden mentions.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
辶Written in full as辵chuòto walk
Sound part声符shēngfú
辟
辟pì避bì
Same sound today

避 is built from 辶, a walking-related form, plus 辟, which gives the pronunciation.

Open 避 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 諱; 讳 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yán
Sound part声符shēngfú
韋
韋wéi諱huì
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 諱 pairs 言 with 韋: 言 shows the meaning, and 韋 gives the sound.

Open 讳 →
Appears in
Chinese Culture & CustomsCommunication & Speech

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