讳莫如深
讳莫如深 (huì mò rú shēn) literally means “avoid discussing as deep” and expresses “maintain absolute silence about sensitive matter”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships and character. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: hui mo ru shen, hui mo ru shen,讳莫如深 meaning, 讳莫如深 in english
Maintain absolute silence about sensitive matter
Pronunciation: huì mò rú shēn Literal meaning: Avoid discussing as deep
Origin & Usage
Han Dynasty court protocols first established this practice of avoiding discussion (讳莫) as deeply (如深) as possible regarding sensitive imperial matters. Tang Dynasty society expanded it to describe any collective agreement to maintain absolute silence about uncomfortable truths. The depth metaphor perfectly captured how some topics become so taboo that even acknowledging their existence becomes forbidden.
When to Use
Situation: The family never mentioned the scandal, treating it as a forbidden topic
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 讳莫如深 mean in English?
讳莫如深 (huì mò rú shēn) literally translates to “Avoid discussing as deep” and is used to express “Maintain absolute silence about sensitive matter”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 讳莫如深 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving maintain absolute silence about sensitive matter.
What is the pinyin for 讳莫如深?
The pinyin pronunciation for 讳莫如深 is “huì mò rú shēn”.