忌口 jìkǒu abstain from certain food (as when ill)
abstain from certain food (as when ill); avoid certain foods; be on a diet
How to remember 忌口: 忌 jealous + 口 mouth (Kangxi radical 30) = abstain from certain food (as when ill).
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How it is used
- To avoid certain foods, for health or after illness - 他在忌口，不能吃辣 (tā zài jìkǒu, bù néng chī là) he's on a restricted diet and can't eat spicy food.
- Specifically about dietary abstention (illness, recovery, Chinese-medicine rules), not general dieting to lose weight (减肥).
- Spoken, everyday health talk; 忌 alone means to avoid/abstain from.