bei6 hoi1避開避开

Jyutpingbei6 hoi1

Yalebeih hōi

動詞Common

Definition

To avoid, evade, or keep away from someone or something because of danger, embarrassment, or discomfort.

colloquialdaily actionspeople

How it's used

Focuses on the physical or metaphorical act of stepping out of the way to prevent contact or confrontation. It implies a deliberate choice to steer clear of something unpleasant or risky rather than just ignoring it. Unlike the more formal 逃避, which often carries a sense of shirking responsibility, 避開 is frequently used for immediate, practical situations like dodging a person in a crowd or side-stepping a puddle.

Examples

gin3見dou2到keoi5佢haang4行gwo3過lai2嚟，ngo5我zik1即hak1刻bei6避hoi1開zo2咗。

I immediately stepped aside when I saw him walking over.

nei5你dim2點joeng2樣bei6避hoi1開go2嗰di1啲gaam3尷gaai3尬ge3嘅waa2話tai4題aa4呀？

How do you avoid those awkward topics?

Common phrases

bei6避hoi1開jan4人kwan4群

to avoid crowds

bei6避hoi1開si6視sin3線

to avoid eye contact

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with 逃避. While 避開 is neutral and describes a physical or situational avoidance, 逃避 usually carries a negative connotation of running away from duties, problems, or emotional realities.