Definition

Verb: - To copy; to imitate (someone's behavior, lifestyle, or actions, often in a negative or mindless way): This verb describes the act of trying to be like or keep up with others, typically by imitating their habits, spending, or style, especially when such imitation is seen as frivolous, wasteful, or inappropriate.

Usage

The verb "đua đòi" is used to criticize the act of mindlessly following trends or imitating others, often to show off or fit in, without considering one's own means or the value of the action. It implies a negative judgment on the behavior. - It is commonly used to describe imitating luxurious lifestyles, fashion, or consumption habits. - The subject is usually a person or group of people. - It often carries a connotation of being shallow, wasteful, or trying to be something one is not.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cô ấy chỉ biết đua đòi theo mốt của người nổi tiếng. (She only knows how to copy the fashion trends of celebrities.)
  • Bố mẹ lo lắng vì con trai họ suốt ngày đua đòi bạn bè, chẳng chịu học hành. (His parents are worried because their son spends all his time trying to keep up with his friends and doesn't focus on his studies.)
  • Đừng đua đòi làm gì, hãy sống đúng với khả năng của mình. (Don't bother trying to copy others; live within your means.)

Advanced Usage

• "Đua đòi theo": To compete in imitating; to try to outdo others in copying a trend.
  • Giới trẻ đôi khi đua đòi theo nhau trong cách ăn mặc. (Young people sometimes compete to imitate each other in the way they dress.)

Variants and Related Words

• Đua (verb): To compete, to race. This is the root word, emphasizing competition.
• Đòi (verb, archaic/compound context): To demand, to ask for. In "đua đòi", it combines with "đua" to form a meaning related to striving for or demanding a certain lifestyle through imitation.
• Bắt chước (verb): To imitate, to mimic. This is a more neutral synonym without the strong negative connotation of wastefulness or frivolity that "đua đòi" carries.
• Chạy theo (verb phrase): To run after, to chase (trends, fashions). This is similar in meaning to "đua đòi" but can be slightly less judgmental.

Synonyms

• Bắt chước: To imitate, to mimic.
• Chạy theo (mốt/trend): To chase after (fashion/trends).
• Học đòi: To try to learn/copy (often used similarly to "đua đòi").

Related Idioms/Phrases

• "Đua đòi ăn diện": To compete in dressing up/showing off with clothes.
  • Cô ta tốn quá nhiều tiền vào việc đua đòi ăn diện. (She spends too much money on competing to dress fashionably.)
• "Đua đòi xa hoa": To vie for/indulge in luxury; to try to keep up with a luxurious lifestyle.
  • Lối sống đua đòi xa hoa ấy chẳng mang lại hạnh phúc thực sự. (That luxurious, keeping-up-with-the-Joneses lifestyle doesn't bring real happiness.)

verb

1. to copy ; to imitate