wai5諱讳
Jyutpingwai5
Yalewáih
Definition
To avoid mentioning, conceal, or regard as taboo.
writtencommunicationother
How it's used
Primarily encountered in formal or literary contexts, this character often appears in set phrases related to avoiding sensitive topics or names. It carries a sense of social or cultural restriction, implying that certain subjects are too delicate or disrespectful to be spoken aloud. While rarely used as a standalone verb in casual speech, it remains essential for understanding idioms describing the avoidance of unpleasant truths.
Examples
He is afraid of admitting his illness and refuses to see a doctor even when sick.
Related words
Common phrases
to hide one's illness and avoid treatment
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 避, which is a general term for avoiding something. Unlike 避, which can apply to physical avoidance, 諱 specifically refers to the act of concealing or avoiding speech due to social taboo or personal shame.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
