====== táobì: 逃避 - To Escape, To Evade, To Avoid ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** táobì, 逃避, escape in Chinese, avoid in Chinese, evade responsibility Chinese, Chinese word for avoidance, how to say escape in Mandarin, táobì meaning, 逃避 examples, shirk duty Chinese, HSK 5 vocabulary.
  * **Summary:** Learn the meaning and usage of the Chinese word **逃避 (táobì)**, which means to escape, evade, or avoid. This common HSK 5 verb is crucial for understanding how to talk about avoiding responsibility, problems, or reality in Mandarin Chinese. This page explores its cultural context, provides practical examples of how to use **逃避 (táobì)**, and clarifies common mistakes to help you master this important concept.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** táobì
  * **Part of Speech:** Verb
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 5
  * **Concise Definition:** To escape, evade, or avoid something that one should face, such as a problem, responsibility, or reality.
  * **In a Nutshell:** **逃避 (táobì)** is more than just a physical escape; it's a psychological retreat. It carries a negative connotation, implying that the person is shirking a duty, showing weakness, or refusing to confront a difficult but necessary situation. Think of it as "to run away from" your problems rather than simply "to avoid" an inconvenience.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **逃 (táo):** This character means "to flee," "to run away," or "to escape." The radical 辶 (chuò) on the left signifies movement or walking. The right side, 兆 (zhào), provides the sound. So, 逃 is fundamentally about the action of running away from a place or situation.
  * **避 (bì):** This character means "to avoid," "to shun," or "to dodge." It also contains the movement radical 辶 (chuò). The right side, 辟 (bì), means to ward off or keep away. So, 避 is about the action of moving to get away from something.
  * When combined, **逃避 (táobì)** creates a powerful compound word: "to flee and avoid." It emphasizes a deliberate and often desperate attempt to get away from something intangible, like responsibility (责任), problems (问题), or reality (现实).
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
In Chinese culture, which often values perseverance, enduring hardship (吃苦 - chīkǔ), and fulfilling one's obligations to the family and community, **逃避 (táobì)** is viewed as a significant character flaw. To **逃避责任 (táobì zérèn)**, or evade responsibility, is considered dishonorable and immature. It runs counter to the collective expectation that individuals should face challenges head-on for the good of the group.
This can be contrasted with some modern Western concepts like "setting boundaries" or "taking a mental health day." While these actions are seen as positive forms of self-care in the West, a traditional Chinese perspective might interpret them as a form of **逃避 (táobì)** if they involve neglecting one's duties. For a learner, it's crucial to understand that accusing someone of **逃避 (táobì)** is a serious criticism of their character, not just an observation of their actions.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**逃避 (táobì)** is a common word used in daily conversations, media, and even psychological discussions. Its connotation is almost always negative.
  * **Evading Intangible Things:** Its most common use is for abstract concepts. People **逃避** problems, reality, difficult conversations, and responsibilities.
    * e.g., **逃避现实** (táobì xiànshí) - to escape from reality
    * e.g., **逃避问题** (táobì wèntí) - to evade a problem
  * **In Relationships:** It's often used to describe someone who avoids dealing with conflict or emotional issues.
    * e.g., "He uses silence to **逃避** arguments."
  * **Formal/Legal Context:** It can be used in formal settings to mean evading legal consequences.
    * e.g., **逃避**法律制裁 (táobì fǎlǜ zhìcái) - to evade legal sanctions
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:** 
    * 你不能总是**逃避**问题，你必须面对它。
    * Pinyin: Nǐ bùnéng zǒngshì **táobì** wèntí, nǐ bìxū miànduì tā.
    * English: You can't always evade problems, you must face them.
    * Analysis: A very common and direct use. It sets up a clear contrast between **逃避 (táobì)** (to evade) and its direct antonym, 面对 (miànduì) (to face).
  * **Example 2:** 
    * 他选择**逃避**现实，整天玩电脑游戏。
    * Pinyin: Tā xuǎnzé **táobì** xiànshí, zhěng tiān wán diànnǎo yóuxì.
    * English: He chose to escape from reality, playing computer games all day.
    * Analysis: This links the abstract concept of **逃避现实 (táobì xiànshí)** with a concrete, observable action (playing games).
  * **Example 3:** 
    * **逃避**责任是懦夫的行为。
    * Pinyin: **Táobì** zérèn shì nuòfū de xíngwéi.
    * English: Evading responsibility is the act of a coward.
    * Analysis: This sentence clearly shows the strong negative and moral judgment associated with the word.
  * **Example 4:** 
    * 每次我们想谈谈未来，她都**逃避**这个话题。
    * Pinyin: Měi cì wǒmen xiǎng tántan wèilái, tā dōu **táobì** zhège huàtí.
    * English: Every time we want to talk about the future, she evades the topic.
    * Analysis: This demonstrates how **逃避 (táobì)** can be used for avoiding a specific conversation or topic.
  * **Example 5:** 
    * 不要用忙碌来**逃避**真正的问题。
    * Pinyin: Búyào yòng mánglù lái **táobì** zhēnzhèng de wèntí.
    * English: Don't use being busy as an excuse to evade the real issues.
    * Analysis: Highlights the psychological aspect—using one activity to avoid confronting something more important.
  * **Example 6:** 
    * 这位官员试图**逃避**对他腐败行为的调查。
    * Pinyin: Zhè wèi guānyuán shìtú **táobì** duì tā fǔbài xíngwéi de diàochá.
    * English: This official attempted to evade the investigation into his corrupt activities.
    * Analysis: Shows the use of **逃避 (táobì)** in a more formal, legal, or political context.
  * **Example 7:** 
    * 他有**逃避**型人格障碍。
    * Pinyin: Tā yǒu **táobì** xíng réngé zhàng'ài.
    * English: He has avoidant personality disorder.
    * Analysis: This is a direct translation of a clinical psychological term, showing the word's application in a modern, scientific context.
  * **Example 8:** 
    * 你为什么总是在**逃避**我？我做错了什么吗？
    * Pinyin: Nǐ wèishéme zǒngshì zài **táobì** wǒ? Wǒ zuò cuòle shénme ma?
    * English: Why are you always avoiding me? Did I do something wrong?
    * Analysis: Here, **逃避 (táobì)** is used for avoiding a person, implying a deeper issue than simply not wanting to see them.
  * **Example 9:** 
    * 面对失败是成长的第一步，**逃避**只会让你停滞不前。
    * Pinyin: Miànduì shībài shì chéngzhǎng de dì yī bù, **táobì** zhǐ huì ràng nǐ tíngzhì bù qián.
    * English: Facing failure is the first step to growth; evading it will only make you stagnate.
    * Analysis: A philosophical or motivational use of the word, contrasting it with personal growth.
  * **Example 10:** 
    * 无论你跑到哪里，你都无法**逃避**你自己。
    * Pinyin: Wúlùn nǐ pǎo dào nǎlǐ, nǐ dōu wúfǎ **táobì** nǐ zìjǐ.
    * English: No matter where you run, you can't escape from yourself.
    * Analysis: A profound sentence showing that **逃避 (táobì)** is ultimately futile when dealing with internal struggles.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
The most common mistake for English speakers is confusing **逃避 (táobì)** with the more neutral word **避免 (bìmiǎn)**.
  *   **逃避 (táobì):** To evade/escape (negative). Used for things you //should// face but don't want to, like responsibility, problems, or reality. It implies a failure of will or courage.
  *   **避免 (bìmiǎn):** To avoid/prevent (neutral). Used for preventing a negative outcome or avoiding an inconvenience, often through wise planning.
**Example of Mistake:**
  *   **Incorrect:** 我**逃避**在高峰时间出门，因为车太多了。(Wǒ **táobì** zài gāofēng shíjiān chūmén, yīnwèi chē tài duō le.)
  *   **Why it's wrong:** This sounds overly dramatic, as if you have a moral duty to brave rush hour traffic and are a coward for not doing so.
  *   **Correct:** 我尽量**避免**在高峰时间出门，因为车太多了。(Wǒ jǐnliàng **bìmiǎn** zài gāofēng shíjiān chūmén, yīnwèi chē tài duō le.)
  *   **Explanation:** You are simply "avoiding" a hassle through good planning. This is a neutral, sensible action, so **避免 (bìmiǎn)** is the correct choice.
**Rule of Thumb:** If you are "avoiding" something out of wisdom, planning, or simple preference, use **避免 (bìmiǎn)**. If you are "evading" something out of fear, weakness, or a refusal to do your duty, use **逃避 (táobì)**.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[面对]] (miànduì) - To face, to confront. The direct antonym of **逃避**.
  * [[避免]] (bìmiǎn) - To avoid, to prevent. A neutral term that is often confused with **逃避**. It implies sensible prevention rather than cowardly evasion.
  * [[躲避]] (duǒbì) - To dodge, to hide from. More focused on avoiding something physical, like dodging a ball or hiding from a person.
  * [[回避]] (huíbì) - To evade, to sidestep. Similar to **逃避**, but often used in the context of conversations or formal questions (e.g., evading a reporter's question). It can be slightly more formal.
  * [[逃跑]] (táopǎo) - To run away, to flee. Purely a physical action of escaping from a place, like a prisoner escaping from jail. It lacks the psychological depth of **逃避**.
  * [[责任]] (zérèn) - Responsibility. This is one of the most common abstract concepts that people **逃避**.
  * [[现实]] (xiànshí) - Reality. Another common object of the verb **逃避**.
  * [[吃苦]] (chīkǔ) - Literally "to eat bitterness"; to endure hardship. This is a highly valued trait in Chinese culture and stands in direct opposition to the act of **逃避**.