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忌諱に触れる (ききにふれる) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, ichidan verb
offend ; rub the wrong way ; get on someone's nerves
Used when someone's words or actions touch upon a sensitive point, taboo, or something the other person dislikes, causing displeasure or anger. Often used in formal or written contexts.
題だい
は
彼かの
女じょ
の
忌き
諱き
に
触ふ
れる
か
も
しれ
ない
から
、
気き
を
つけ
て
。
That topic might touch a nerve with her, so be careful.
Written forms 忌諱に触れる
ききに 触ふ れる
Kana form used when the kanji 忌諱 is considered difficult or obscure.
きいに 触ふ れる
Alternate reading きい; less common than きき.
きいにふれる
Kanji 忌 mourning, abhor, detestable Similar words 気き に 障さわ る More common and casual expression for 'to hurt someone's feelings' or 'to offend'. 忌諱に触れる is more formal and implies touching on a specific taboo or sensitive area.
逆げき 鱗りん に 触ふ れる Means 'to incur someone's wrath' or 'to touch a sore spot', often used for a superior's anger. 忌諱に触れる is broader and can refer to any sensitive topic, not necessarily provoking extreme anger.
Etymology 忌諱 (kiki) means 'taboo' or 'something to be avoided', from 忌 (ki, 'mourning' or 'abhorrence') and 諱 (ki, 'posthumous name' or 'taboo name'). 触れる (fureru) means 'to touch'. The phrase literally means 'to touch upon a taboo', and by extension 'to offend'.
