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March 24, 2026
忌jì(ji4)
The character 忌 (jì) primarily means to avoid or abstain from something due to fear or jealousy. It can also express a sense of dread or scruple in certain contexts, particularly when referring to superstitions or cultural taboos. This word is commonly used when discussing behaviors or actions that one might refrain from out of caution or envy.
Strokes7Radical心Frequency#22134DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 忌 is often linked to superstitions and avoidance of certain words or actions that may bring bad luck. For example, some people avoid certain numbers or phrases during festivals to prevent invoking bad fortune.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person looking over their shoulder in jealousy, afraid of what others might think. The character 忌 has a 'heart' (心) inside it, representing emotions like jealousy and fear, combined with 'to avoid' (忌 itself can imply avoidance). Picture this person avoiding their friend's success, feeling both jealousy and the need to stay away from negativity.
Meanings of 忌
jì(ji4)
1to be jealous of
2fear
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 忌
忌Simplified
7Strokes
心Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#22134Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 忌
Podcast: 忌
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AI Study Notes for 忌
Quick Contrast
忌 (jì) vs 避 (bì) — choose 忌 when the avoidance is due to fear or superstition, while 避 is more general for avoiding something.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person looking over their shoulder in jealousy, afraid of what others might think. The character 忌 has a 'heart' (心) inside it, representing emotions like jealousy and fear, combined with 'to avoid' (忌 itself can imply avoidance). Picture this person avoiding their friend's success, feeling both jealousy and the need to stay away from negativity.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 忌 (jì) with similar sounding words that do not convey the same meaning, such as 急 (jí) which means 'urgent'. It is generally used in more formal contexts, especially in literature or discussions about ethics and morality. Common collocations include 忌讳 (jìhuì), meaning 'taboo'.
HSK Study Tips
While 忌 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it relates to other words about emotions and ethics, such as 恨 (hèn, to hate) and 怕 (pà, to fear). Students should focus on understanding its various meanings and the contexts in which it is used, such as in idiomatic expressions or cultural discussions.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 忌 is often linked to superstitions and avoidance of certain words or actions that may bring bad luck. For example, some people avoid certain numbers or phrases during festivals to prevent invoking bad fortune.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 忌 in sentences about liking something, mistakenly saying, ‘我忌这个音乐’ (I avoid this music) instead of ‘我喜欢这个音乐’ (I like this music). Remember, 忌 should relate to avoidance due to fear or jealousy.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 忌
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Grammar Patterns of 忌
忌 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 8 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
我把最后两指宽的波旁威士____都倒进自己杯中。
I poured two final fingers of bourbon into my glass.
When we go out, girls are always giving me the evil eye.
9
我从餐具柜里取出一瓶自己收藏的最好的麦芽威士忌。
wǒ cóng cān jù guì lǐ qǔ chū yī píng zì jǐ shōu cáng de zuì hǎo de mài yá wēi shì jì。
I got a bottle of my best malt out of the sideboard.
10
我又往酒杯里倒了点儿波旁威士忌。
wǒ yòu wǎng jiǔ bēi lǐ dǎo le diǎn ér bō páng wēi shì jì。
I poured a little more bourbon into my glass.
Cultural Notes for 忌
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of 忌 is often linked to superstitions and avoidance of certain words or actions that may bring bad luck. For example, some people avoid certain numbers or phrases during festivals to prevent invoking bad fortune.
Word Family of 忌
Compounds4
誋
跽ji4to kneel; to get on hands and knees
梞
鵋
Words Containing This Character20
威士忌whiskey (loanword)
忌jìfear
妒忌dùjìenvy
禁忌jìnjìtaboo
顾忌worry顧忌
肆无忌惮sìwújìdànunbridled肆無忌憚
切忌to avoid as taboo
忌讳jìhuìtaboo忌諱
忌妒to envy
猜忌to be suspicious and jealous of
忌日inauspicious day
忌惮restraining fear忌憚
威士忌酒whiskey (loanword)
忌口jìkǒube on a diet
忌恨hate (due to envy etc)
百无禁忌nothing is taboo百無禁忌
童言无忌children's words carry no harm (idiom)童言無忌
投鼠忌器to not act against an evil so as to prevent harm to innocents
讳疾忌医to keep one's shortcomings secret諱疾忌醫
忌辰anniversary of a death
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 跽 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 忌
忌 (jì) implies a sense of jealousy or avoidance, while 恨 (hèn) means 'hate' and conveys a much stronger, more aggressive emotion.
Yes, but it is more commonly found in formal or literary contexts rather than casual conversation.
Yes, the phrase 忌讳 (jìhuì) refers to something that is taboo or should be avoided.
