好词典

tabu

UK //təˈbuː//US //tæˈbuː//

词源

源自波利尼西亚语(特别是汤加语和斐济语)的'tapu',18世纪通过英语传入西方学术用语,后演变为现代英语中的'tabu'。

noun

❶ 指某些文化或社会中严格禁止的行为、言语或事物,通常带有宗教或传统色彩,违反者会受到惩罚或谴责。

“In some cultures, eating pork is considered a tabu.”

(在某些文化中,食用猪肉被视为禁忌。)

“Discussing politics at the dinner table was a tabu in their family.”

(在他们家,餐桌上讨论政治是个禁忌。)

同义词:prohibition, ban, restriction

adjective

❶ 形容被禁止或忌讳的事物,带有强烈的文化或社会约束意味。

“The topic was tabu and no one dared to mention it.”

(这个话题是忌讳,没人敢提起。)

“In their religion, certain foods are tabu during holy days.”

(在他们的宗教中,某些食物在圣日是禁忌。)

同义词:forbidden, prohibited, off-limits

常见短语

tabu subject — 指社会或文化中避免公开讨论的敏感话题,可能涉及宗教、性、死亡等。

“Death is often a tabu subject in many cultures.”

(死亡在许多文化中常常是个禁忌话题。)

break a tabu — 违反某种文化或社会禁忌,通常会引起强烈反应或惩罚。

“He broke a tabu by entering the sacred temple without permission.”

(他未经许可进入神圣寺庙,违反了禁忌。)