Chinese word

避

Pronunciation

Pinyinbì

Meaning

  • verbavoid

Example

他尽量避开高峰时间。tā jǐn liàng bì kāi gāo fēng shí jiān

He does his best to avoid peak hours.

Illustration for 避 (avoid)

More examples

开会时，他尽量避开尖锐的话题。kāi huì shí tā jǐn liàng bì kāi jiān ruì de huà tí

During meetings, he does his best to avoid sensitive topics.

Core concept

Moving or acting out of the way before an unwanted encounter or consequence reaches you.

Common phrases

  • 避开拥挤的地方bì kāi yōng jǐ de dì fāng

    avoid crowded places

  • 避开尖锐话题bì kāi jiān ruì huà tí

    avoid sensitive topics

Similar words

避免bì miǎn: To take steps in advance to stop an unwanted result from happening.
避开bì kāi: To keep apart from a person or thing by changing place, distance, or timing.
躲避duǒ bì: To hide or quickly move out of the way when danger is near.
逃避táo bì: To escape responsibility or difficulty rather than deal with it directly.

Definition in Chinese

使自己远离危险、麻烦或不愿遇到的人或事，通过移动、回避或改变行为以免发生不利的结果。shǐ zì jǐ yuǎn lí wēi xiǎn má fán huò bú yuàn yù dào de rén huò shì tōng guò yí dòng huí bì huò gǎi biàn xíng wéi yí miǎn fā shēng bú lì de jié guǒ

Word origin

Its written structure pairs a movement element with a sound-bearing element; the movement element reflects withdrawal, which makes the character memorable as a route away from trouble.

Usage tips

  • The verb suits both immediate situations and planned prevention, so it can describe changing behavior as well as leaving a risky place.

Other meanings

  • evadeverb
  • dodgeverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word