回避

• Pinyin: huí bì
• Hanzi breakdown: 回 = to turn/return; 避 = to avoid/evade

Meaning

To avoid; to evade; to recuse oneself. Deliberately staying away from something or someone.

Used for avoiding topics, people, responsibilities, or conflicts. In legal/official contexts, means to recuse oneself due to conflict of interest. Often carries a slightly negative connotation of shirking.

Examples

1. 他总是回避关于前任的话题。 He always avoids topics about his ex.
2. 你不能一直回避问题，迟早要面对。 You can't keep avoiding the problem; you'll have to face it sooner or later.
3. 法官因为和被告有亲属关系而回避此案。 The judge recused himself from the case due to being related to the defendant.

Usage Guide

Context: confrontation, topics, legal, responsibility

Tone: evasive

Do Say

• 请不要回避我的问题。(Please don't evade my question.)
• 相关人员需要回避。(Related personnel must recuse themselves.)

Don't Say

• 我回避了那家餐厅 (回避 is for avoiding topics/people/conflicts, not physical places — use 避开 or 绕开 instead)

Origin & History

Compound of 回 (to turn away) + 避 (to avoid), meaning to turn away and avoid.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal