Definition
避讳 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to avoid mentioning something taboo or sensitive' — originally referring to the historical practice of avoiding emperors' or elders' personal names, but now used broadly for any topic you steer around. The noun sense refers to the taboo itself. As a verb, it can split: 避什么讳 ('what taboo are you avoiding?'). It's a formal or literary word, not used in casual chitchat.
verb
to avoid mentioning (a taboo or sensitive topic)to dodge (a subject)
noun
a taboosomething one avoids mentioning
Examples
- ，避讳。Zài Zhōngguó gǔdài, rénmen bìxū bì huì huángdì de míngzì.In ancient China, people had to avoid using the emperor's personal name.
- ，避讳。Tā shuōhuà hěn zhíjiē, cónglái bù bì huì shénme.He speaks very directly and never avoids any topic.
- 避讳，。Zhège huàtí shì ge bì huì, dàjiā dōu bú yuànyì tán.This topic is a taboo — nobody wants to talk about it.
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