切忌 qièjì to avoid as taboo
to avoid as taboo; to avoid by all means
How to remember 切忌: 切 cut + 忌 jealous = to avoid as taboo.
Characters
How it is used
- 'Must strictly avoid / by all means do not' - a strong warning that opens advice: 切忌骄傲 (qièjì jiāo'ào) be sure not to become arrogant.
- The 切 here means 'absolutely/earnestly'; 忌 is 'to avoid as taboo'. Common in instructions and cautionary advice; near-synonym 切记 is the positive 'be sure to remember'.