忌

jì

己 + 心

HSK 3.0Level 7

Definitions

jì (verb) to avoid; to abstain from

jì (verb) to fear; to dread

jì (verb) to be jealous of

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 心 represents the meaning and 己 represents the sound.

Semantic: 心 Phonetic: 己

About

忌 is a phono-semantic compound: the radical 心 'heart' points to emotions and psychology, while the component 己 gives the sound. Its earliest meanings denote internal psychological states: dread, fear, and intense jealousy or envy of another's abilities or possessions. From these feelings of fear and apprehension arose the extended meaning of actively avoiding or abstaining from certain behaviors, foods, or actions out of respect, superstition, or health concerns. Today, it commonly refers to societal and religious taboos, meaning subjects or actions that are strictly prohibited or considered highly inappropriate to mention or engage in within a specific cultural context.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

吃药后忌喝酒。

Chī yào hòu jì hē jiǔ.

After taking medicine, avoid drinking alcohol.

他忌口很多食物。

Tā jìkǒu hěn duō shíwù.

He avoids many foods due to dietary restrictions.

病人忌讳生冷食物。

Bìngrén jìhuì shēng lěng shíwù.

Patients should avoid raw and cold foods as a taboo.

她忌妒朋友的成就。

Tā jìdù péngyou de chéngjiù.

She is jealous of her friend's achievement.

他们忌惮他的权威。

Tāmen jìdàn tā de quánwēi.

They dread his authority.

在公共场合忌大声喧哗。

Zài gōnggòng chǎnghé jì dàshēng xuānhuá.

Avoid loud noises in public places.

糖尿病患者忌食高糖食品。

Tángniàobìng huànzhě jì shí gāo táng shípǐn.

Diabetics should avoid high-sugar foods.

他毫无忌惮地表达了自己的观点。

Tā háo wú jìdàn de biǎodá le zìjǐ de guāndiǎn.

He expressed his opinion without any fear.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 己

Component: 心

Example Words