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March 24, 2026
讳(諱)huì(hui4)
The character 讳 (huì) refers to the act of avoiding mention of certain words or topics, often due to cultural taboos or respect for the deceased. It is commonly used in contexts where discussing someone's name or sensitive topics is discouraged to maintain propriety or show respect.
Strokes6Radical讠Frequency#50488DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, there are strong traditions surrounding the names of deceased individuals, particularly emperors. It is common to avoid mentioning their names directly, reflecting deep respect and the belief in maintaining harmony.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person whispering (like a secret) the name of a deceased emperor, as they feel it's inappropriate to say it out loud. The character 讳 combines the radical for speech (讠) with a component that suggests avoidance, reminding you to 'shun' certain words.
Meanings of 讳
huì(hui4)
1to avoid mentioning
2taboo word
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 讳
讳Simplified
諱Traditional
6Strokes
讠Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#50488Frequency Rank
Podcast: 讳
Podcast: 讳
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AI Study Notes for 讳
Quick Contrast
忌 (jì) — use 讳 (huì) when referring to avoiding mention out of respect, while 忌 (jì) implies avoidance due to superstition or fear.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person whispering (like a secret) the name of a deceased emperor, as they feel it's inappropriate to say it out loud. The character 讳 combines the radical for speech (讠) with a component that suggests avoidance, reminding you to 'shun' certain words.
Usage Notes
Be cautious when using 讳 in conversation, as it often implies a cultural sensitivity. Common phrases include 讳莫如深 (to avoid mentioning something) and it is typically used in more formal or literary contexts. Remember that the tone of 讳 is crucial; mispronouncing it could lead to misunderstanding.
HSK Study Tips
Though not included in HSK levels, understanding 讳 can deepen your grasp of cultural nuances in Chinese. It connects to other words related to respect and social norms, encouraging learners to pay attention to context and the significance of taboo words in the language.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, there are strong traditions surrounding the names of deceased individuals, particularly emperors. It is common to avoid mentioning their names directly, reflecting deep respect and the belief in maintaining harmony.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 讳 with 诌 (to flatter), leading to sentences like '他是一个讳的朋友' (He is a flattering friend), which should actually be '他是一个讨好的朋友' (He is a pleasing friend). Focus on the context of avoidance to use it correctly.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 讳
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Grammar Patterns of 讳
讳 carries 4 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
毒瘾仍然是个有些忌____的话题。
The topic of addiction remains something of a taboo.
Example Sentences for 讳 (6)
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1
毒瘾仍然是个有些忌讳的话题。
dú yǐn réng rán shì gè yǒu xiē jì huì de huà tí。
The topic of addiction remains something of a taboo.
2
现在我们能公开谈论以前讳言不提的艾滋病问题。
xiàn zài wǒ mén néng gōng kāi tán lùn yǐ qián huì yán bù tí de ài zī bìng wèn tí。
We can now talk openly about AIDS which we couldn't before.
3
他忌讳人家叫他的外号.
tā jì huì rén jiā jiào tā de wài hào.
He resents being called by his nickname.
4
她毫不隐讳地表示想得到他的工作，以至于他们之间说话都带着火药味。
tā háo bù yǐn huì dì biǎo shì xiǎng dé dào tā de gōng zuò， ， yǐ zhì yú tā mén zhī jiān shuō huà dū dài zháo huǒ yào。
She coveted his job so openly that conversations between them were tense.
5
讳疾忌医的人,错误越陷越深.
huì jí jì yī de rén, , cuò wù yuè xiàn yuè.
He who tries to conceal his fault for fear of criticism will sink deeper and deeper in the quagmire of errors.
6
他成为旧的苏联体制直言不讳的抨击者。
tā chéng wéi jiù de sū lián tǐ zhì zhí yán bù huì de pēng jī zhě。
He became an outspoken opponent of the old Soviet system.
Cultural Notes for 讳
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, there are strong traditions surrounding the names of deceased individuals, particularly emperors. It is common to avoid mentioning their names directly, reflecting deep respect and the belief in maintaining harmony.
Word Family of 讳
Words Containing This Character11
忌讳jìhuìtaboo忌諱
直言不讳to speak bluntly (idiom)直言不諱
避讳to avoid避諱
供认不讳to plead guilty供認不諱
不讳to die不諱
讳huìtaboo word諱
讳莫如深important matter that must be kept secret (idiom); don't breathe a word of it to anyone!諱莫如深
隐讳to hold back from saying precisely what is on one's mind隱諱
讳疾忌医to keep one's shortcomings secret諱疾忌醫
名讳taboo name (e.g. of emperor)名諱
直言无讳to speak one's mind直言無諱
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 忌讳 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 讳
It relates to topics or names that are considered taboo or inappropriate to mention, especially concerning the deceased.
It is more commonly found in formal writing or discussions about cultural practices rather than in casual speech.
You might say, '他对这个问题非常讳莫如深' (He is very cautious about mentioning this issue).
