HSK · Level 57
105 words
Chinese word
忌讳
Pronunciation
Pinyinjì huì
Meaning
- nountaboo
Example
在这家公司，谈工资是个忌讳。zài zhè jiā gōng sī tán gōng zī shì gè jì huì
At this company, talking about salaries is taboo.
More examples
医生提醒病人注意饮食中的忌讳，以免影响康复。yī shēng tí xǐng bìng rén zhù yì yǐn shí zhōng de jì huì yí miǎn yíng xiǎng kāng fù
The doctor reminded the patient to observe dietary taboos so as not to affect recovery.
Core concept
A point in conversation where concern for custom or feelings makes speech or action stop.
Common phrases
饮食忌讳yǐn shí jì huì
dietary taboos
忌讳话题jì huì huà tí
taboo topic
Similar words
禁忌jìn jì: A matter or action considered forbidden by religious, traditional, or customary rules.
Definition in Chinese
在社交情境中因顾忌礼俗、情感或禁忌而避免提起或讨论的事项，泛指不宜触及的话题或行为。zài shè jiāo qíng jìng zhōng yīn gù jì lǐ sú qíng gǎn huò jìn jì ér bì miǎn tí qǐ huò tǎo lùn de shì xiàng fàn zhǐ bù yí chù jí de huà tí huò xíng wéi
Word origin
忌讳 (jìhuì, "taboo") developed from 忌 (jì, "to avoid because of concern") and 讳 (huì, "to keep a name or matter unspoken"), joining avoidance with the idea of socially required silence.
Usage tips
- For conversational Chinese, this word signals a matter of social timing and boundaries rather than proof that a topic is universally forbidden.
Other meanings
- avoidverb