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March 24, 2026
避bì(bi4)
The character 避 (bì) means to avoid or shun something. It is often used in contexts where someone is trying to escape danger or discomfort, such as avoiding an argument or staying away from bad weather. This word conveys a sense of intentionality in evading an undesirable situation.
Strokes16Radical辶Frequency#6372DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, avoiding conflict is often seen as a virtue, reflecting a preference for harmony in social interactions. Thus, 避 is frequently used in discussions about maintaining peace or avoiding confrontations.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person wearing a 'bee' costume (sounds like 'bì') who is trying to avoid getting stung by actual bees. The character 避 is composed of the radical for 'road' (辶) and the character '避' which visually suggests movement away from something. Picture the person running away from the swarm!
Meanings of 避
bì(bi4)
1to avoid
2to shun
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 避
避Simplified
16Strokes
辶Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#6372Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 避
Podcast: 避
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AI Study Notes for 避
Quick Contrast
回避 (huíbì) vs 避免 (bìmiǎn): Use 避 (bì) when emphasizing the act of avoiding something actively, while 回避 (huíbì) often implies evading a situation, and 避免 (bìmiǎn) focuses on preventing something from happening.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person wearing a 'bee' costume (sounds like 'bì') who is trying to avoid getting stung by actual bees. The character 避 is composed of the radical for 'road' (辶) and the character '避' which visually suggests movement away from something. Picture the person running away from the swarm!
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 避 with similar verbs like 躲 (duǒ), which also means to avoid but has a connotation of hiding rather than just avoiding. This word is more formal; in casual conversation, people might use simpler alternatives. Remember to use the correct tone, as bì should be pronounced with a falling tone.
HSK Study Tips
While 避 is not in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects with words related to safety and caution. At this level, focus on understanding its usage in phrases and collocations like 避免 (bìmiǎn) meaning 'to prevent' or 'to avoid'. This will enhance your vocabulary around risk and caution.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, avoiding conflict is often seen as a virtue, reflecting a preference for harmony in social interactions. Thus, 避 is frequently used in discussions about maintaining peace or avoiding confrontations.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 避 with 躲 (duǒ), leading to sentences like '我躲这个问题' (Wǒ duǒ zhège wèntí), which incorrectly implies hiding rather than avoiding. The correct usage would be '我避开这个问题' (Wǒ bìkāi zhège wèntí).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 避
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Grammar Patterns of 避
避 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
你最好回____一下。
It probably would be a good idea if you made yourself scarce.
Common Confusions with 避
避vs比
bǐ
Similar pronunciation but different meaning.
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "to avoid"?
or
Example Sentences for 避 (10)
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1
你最好回避一下。
nǐ zuì hǎo huí bì yī xià。
It probably would be a good idea if you made yourself scarce.
He boasts of dodging military service by feigning illness.
9
他逃到了哥斯达黎加以逃避服兵役。
tā táo dào le gē sī dá lí jiā yǐ táo bì fú bīng yì。
He fled to Costa Rica to avoid military service.
10
整个午饭期间，他一直在小心翼翼地回避房子的话题。
zhěng gè wǔ fàn qī jiān， ， tā yī zhí zài xiǎo xīn yì yì dì huí bì fáng zǐ de huà。
All through lunch he had carefully avoided the subject of the house.
Exercise 1 of 1
Reorder the Sentence
It probably would be a good idea if you made yourself scarce.
Tap tokens to build the sentence
Cultural Notes for 避
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, avoiding conflict is often seen as a virtue, reflecting a preference for harmony in social interactions. Thus, 避 is frequently used in discussions about maintaining peace or avoiding confrontations.
Word Family of 避
Words Containing This Character20
避免bìmiǎnto avert
逃避táobìto escape
避bìto avoid
回避huíbìto shun迴避
避开to avoid避開
躲避duǒbìto hide
不可避免bùkěbìmiǎnunavoidably
避孕套condom
避难所refuge避難所
规避to evade規避
避难bìnànrefuge避難
避孕contraception
避孕药oral contraceptive避孕藥
避暑bìshǔto prevent sunstroke
避风to lie low避風
避让to avoid避讓
避风港haven避風港
闪避to dodge閃避
避讳to avoid避諱
扬长避短to play to one's strengths揚長避短
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 避免 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 避
Some synonyms for 避 (bì) include 躲 (duǒ) which means 'to hide,' and 逃 (táo) which means 'to escape.' These words can be used interchangeably in some contexts, but each has its nuances.
You should use 避 (bì) when you want to indicate avoiding or shunning something, while 逃 (táo) is more appropriate when referring to fleeing from danger. Understanding the context will help you choose the right word.
避 (bì) means 'to avoid' or 'to shun.' It can also imply fleeing or escaping from something. This character is often used in contexts where one wishes to keep away from certain situations or objects.
You can use 避 (bì) in a sentence to express the action of avoiding something. For example, '我避开了这个问题' (Wǒ bìkāile zhège wèntí) means 'I avoided this question.' It can also be used with other verbs to indicate avoidance in different contexts.
You can say '我想避开这个问题' (Wǒ xiǎng bìkāi zhège wèntí), meaning 'I want to avoid this issue.'
Yes, but it is more commonly used in formal situations, while informal speech might favor simpler terms.
'避免' (bìmiǎn), which means 'to avoid' or 'to prevent', is a frequently used phrase.
