Meaning and Usage
The character 忌 (jì) primarily means to avoid, to be wary of, or to be jealous/envy. It often appears in contexts where someone deliberately refrains from something due to superstition, health concerns, or emotional reasons like jealousy.
Common Collocations
- 忌讳 (jìhuì): to avoid taboo topics or actions
- 忌妒 (jìdù): to be jealous or envious
- 忌口 (jìkǒu): to avoid certain foods, often for health or dietary reasons
Usage Notes
忌 is often used in formal or written Chinese, especially in expressions related to taboos or superstitions. When used to express jealousy, it is usually combined with 妒 (dù). It differs from similar words like 避免 (bìmiǎn) which is more neutral and general avoidance.
Common Confusion
Avoid confusing 忌 with 嫉 (jí), which also relates to jealousy but is less commonly used alone. Also, 忌 is more about deliberate avoidance or taboo, while other words like 怕 (pà) express fear more generally.