Definition
禁忌 (jìn jì) refers to a taboo or prohibition — both the social/cultural rule (noun) and the act of avoiding something (verb). It is the broadest of the three HSK7 'taboo' words: 忌讳 (jì hui) emphasizes avoidance out of cultural sensitivity or superstition, while 切忌 (qiè jì) is a strong imperative 'must avoid'. 禁忌 also has a specific medical sense (contraindication) that the others lack.
noun
tabooa social or cultural prohibition(noun, medicine) contraindication
verb
to abstain fromto avoid (doing something)
Easily confused
- 紧急jǐn jísound-alikeurgent, pressing, critical
- 晋级jìn jísound-aliketo advance to a higher level, to be promoted (in rank or competition)
Examples
- ,禁忌。Zài yǒuxiē wénhuà zhōng, tánlùn sǐwáng shì yì zhǒng jìn jì.In some cultures, talking about death is a taboo.
- 禁忌,。Zhè zhǒng yào duì yùnfù yǒu jìn jì, bù néng fúyòng.This medication has contraindications for pregnant women and cannot be taken.
- 禁忌。Shǒushù hòu huànzhě jìn jì jùliè yùndòng.After surgery, patients should avoid strenuous exercise.
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