避免

• Pinyin: bì miǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 避 = 辶 (walk) + 辟 (phonetic), meaning avoid; 免 = pictograph related to removing, meaning exempt/prevent

Meaning

To avoid; to prevent; to avert. Taking action to ensure something unwanted does not happen.

More formal and purposeful than 避 alone. Used when actively taking measures to prevent negative outcomes — accidents, mistakes, misunderstandings, or health problems. Very common in advice, instructions, and formal writing.

Examples

1. 为了避免迟到，她每天都提前半小时出门。 To avoid being late, she leaves the house half an hour early every day.
2. 多喝水可以避免感冒。 Drinking more water can help prevent catching a cold.
3. 我们应该避免在公共场所大声说话。 We should avoid speaking loudly in public places.

Usage Guide

Context: advice, health, work

Tone: advisory

Do Say

• 请避免在图书馆使用手机。(Please avoid using your phone in the library.)
• 早睡早起可以避免很多健康问题。(Going to bed early and rising early can prevent many health problems.)

Don't Say

• 说'避免了见到他' (Don't use 避免 for simply not encountering someone — that's 没碰到 or 避开; 避免 is for preventing negative outcomes)

Origin & History

A compound of 避 (avoid) and 免 (exempt, remove). Together they mean to avoid and prevent — ensuring something does not occur.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal