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禁忌 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
禁忌jìnjìtabooHSK 7, unknown, 20 strokes, rank #12535, Very Hard
禁忌jìnjìcontraindication (medicine)HSK 7, unknown, 20 strokes, rank #12535, Very Hard
禁忌jìnjìto abstain fromHSK 7, unknown, 20 strokes, rank #12535, Very Hard
jìnjì(jin4ji4)jin ji T4
  1. 1taboo
  2. 2contraindication (medicine)
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March 24, 2026

禁忌jìnjì(jin4ji4)

禁忌 (jìn jì) refers to something that is prohibited or considered taboo, often due to cultural, moral, or religious reasons. In medical contexts, it can denote contraindications, indicating actions or substances to avoid for health reasons. It is commonly used in discussions about dietary restrictions, social norms, or practices that are considered unacceptable.

Strokes20Frequency#12535DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, many traditional practices and beliefs are steeped in taboos, particularly around food and health, often linked to ancestral customs. For example, certain foods are avoided during festivals due to superstitions about luck.

Memory tip

Imagine a 'jin' (禁) gate that you must not pass, representing something forbidden. The second character 'ji' (忌) can be associated with 'jeep', as in, 'do not drive your jeep where it's forbidden.' Together they suggest avoiding certain paths or actions.

Meanings of 禁忌

jìnjì(jin4ji4)
1taboo
2contraindication (medicine)
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About 禁忌

禁忌Simplified
20Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 禁忌

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AI study notes for 禁忌

Quick Contrast

禁忌 (jìnjì) vs 规避 (guībì) — use 禁忌 when referring to cultural or moral taboos, while 规避 emphasizes avoidance of situations or responsibilities.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 禁忌, as the wrong tone can change the meaning. This term is often used in both formal contexts (like health guidelines) and informal discussions about cultural norms. Common collocations include '饮食禁忌' (dietary taboos) and '文化禁忌' (cultural taboos).

HSK Study Tips

While 禁忌 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it can be related to words at HSK 4 or 5 that explore social norms and health. Students should focus on understanding the nuances of what is acceptable versus taboo in Chinese culture.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 禁忌 with its similar sounding words, using it inappropriately. For example, saying '我喜欢禁忌' (I like taboo) instead of '我喜欢避免禁忌' (I like to avoid taboos) can lead to misunderstandings.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 禁忌

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Component characters

禁jīnto endure
13 strokes示
View full entry
忌jìto be jealous of
HSK 77 strokes心
View full entry

How to say taboo in Chinese

“taboo” in Chinese is禁忌jìnjì

禁忌 (jìn jì) refers to something that is prohibited or considered taboo, often due to cultural, moral, or religious reasons. In medical contexts, it can denote contraindications, indicating actions or substances to avoid for health reasons. It is commonly used in discussions about dietary restrictions, social norms, or practices that are considered unacceptable.

When to use 禁忌

Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 禁忌, as the wrong tone can change the meaning. This term is often used in both formal contexts (like health guidelines) and informal discussions about cultural norms. Common collocations include '饮食禁忌' (dietary taboos) and '文化禁忌' (cultural taboos).

禁忌 or something close to it

禁忌 (jìnjì) vs 规避 (guībì) — use 禁忌 when referring to cultural or moral taboos, while 规避 emphasizes avoidance of situations or responsibilities.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 禁忌 with its similar sounding words, using it inappropriately. For example, saying '我喜欢禁忌' (I like taboo) instead of '我喜欢避免禁忌' (I like to avoid taboos) can lead to misunderstandings.

Write 禁忌

禁
忌

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Cultural Notes for 禁忌

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

While many cultures have taboos, the specific practices and their significance can vary widely; for example, Western cultures may focus more on personal choice, whereas Chinese culture often emphasizes collective beliefs and ancestral respect.

Frequently asked questions about 禁忌

Examples include avoiding certain foods during the Lunar New Year or refraining from discussing death in some contexts.

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