避

bì

辟 + 辶

HSK 3.0Level 6

Definitions

bì (verb) to avoid; to shun; to keep away from

bì (verb) to flee; to escape

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 辶 represents the meaning and 辟 represents the sound.

Semantic: 辶 Phonetic: 辟

About

避 is a phono-semantic compound combining the radical 辶 (a walking/movement element) and the phonetic 辟. The radical 辶 provides the semantic foundation of physical motion, hinting that the character relates to moving one's body. The core meaning is to physically evade a threat, getting out of the way, stepping aside, or retreating to safety. This concrete notion of avoidance readily transfers to abstract scenarios: taking steps to prevent something from happening, deliberately keeping away from a person or topic, or finding a way to escape onerous responsibilities and unfavorable conditions. Thus, 避 encompasses both literal dodging and figurative shunning.

Etymology Hide

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他避开了那条狗。

Tā bìkāile nà tiáo gǒu.

He avoided that dog.

我们要避免交通事故。

Wǒmen yào bìmiǎn jiāotōng shìgù.

We must avoid traffic accidents.

她躲避了媒体的采访。

Tā duǒbìle měitǐ de cǎifǎng.

She dodged the media interview.

他回避了这个问题。

Tā huíbìle zhège wèntí.

He avoided this question.

下雨时，我们避雨吧。

Xià yǔ shí, wǒmen bì yǔ ba.

When it rains, let's take shelter from the rain.

夏天我们去山上避暑。

Xiàtiān wǒmen qù shān shàng bìshǔ.

In summer, we go to the mountains to escape the heat.

为了避嫌，他拒绝了礼物。

Wèile bìxián, tā jùjuéle lǐwù.

To avoid suspicion, he refused the gift.

在决策过程中，我们必须避开所有潜在的利益冲突。

Zài juécè guòchéng zhōng, wǒmen bìxū bìkāi suǒyǒu qiánzài de lìyì chōngtū.

In the decision-making process, we must avoid all potential conflicts of interest.

Related Characters

Component: 辟

Component: 辶

避