諱 (huì) - to avoid mentioning & taboo word

諱Tone 4

huì ｜ 16 strokes ｜ radical:

慧佳

諱 · huì

to avoid mentioning;

taboo word;

to conceal;

the name of a deceased emperor or superior

to avoid mentioningtaboo wordto conceal

Usage highlights

tabooavoid mentioningconceal illnesstaboo namenot avoid speakingdeath taboo

Synonyms

  • 忌— avoid; taboo
  • 避— avoid; evade
  • 隐— conceal; hide

Antonyms

  • 言— speak; say
  • 露— reveal; expose
  • 扬— publicize; spread

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • It's taboo to mention the emperor's name (避讳).
  • He avoided mentioning the incident directly (讳言).
  • There are many taboos in traditional culture (忌讳).
  • The official concealed his illness (讳疾忌医).

Collocations

  • taboo(忌讳)
  • avoid mentioning(避讳)
  • conceal illness(讳疾)
  • taboo name(讳名)
  • not avoid speaking(不讳)
  • death taboo(死讳)

Idioms

  • Conceal illness and avoid treatment(讳疾忌医)
  • Speak without reservation(直言不讳)
  • No need to avoid mentioning(毋庸讳言)
  • Guard against taboos(讳莫如深)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In imperial China, using the emperor's personal name was strictly forbidden and required substitution with other characters.
  • The concept of 'hui' reflects traditional Chinese values of respect for authority and avoidance of direct confrontation.
  • Name taboos were particularly important in ancestor worship and official documents throughout Chinese history.

FAQ