Definition

1. Verb:
   • To level out; to equalize: The primary meaning of "cào bằng" is to make things uniform or equal, often by reducing differences or eliminating distinctions. It implies a process of bringing all elements to the same standard or plane, sometimes in a simplistic or forced manner.
   • To flatten; to smooth out: This conveys the idea of removing highs and lows to create a flat, undifferentiated surface, often used metaphorically.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Chính sách đó có nguy cơ cào bằng sự khác biệt giữa học sinh giỏi và học sinh yếu. (That policy risks leveling out the differences between good and weak students.)
  • Họ muốn cào bằng mọi chênh lệch về thu nhập. (They want to equalize all income disparities.)
  • Đừng cào bằng mọi đánh giá, cần công nhận sự nỗ lực cá nhân. (Don't flatten all assessments; individual effort should be recognized.)

Advanced Usage

• Often carries a negative connotation in socio-economic or educational contexts, criticizing policies or actions that impose artificial equality by neglecting merit, talent, or natural variation, potentially stifling excellence.
  • Cào bằng trong giáo dục có thể làm giảm động lực phấn đấu. (Leveling in education can reduce the motivation to strive.)

Variants and Related Words

• Sự cào bằng (n): The act or state of leveling; egalitarianism (often in a negative sense).
  • Sự cào bằng là kẻ thù của sáng tạo. (Forced equalization is the enemy of creativity.)

Synonyms

• Equalize: To make things equal.
• Level: To make flat or uniform.
• Flatten: To remove variations.

Antonyms

• Differentiate: To recognize or mark differences.
• Stratify: To arrange into different levels or layers.

Related Concepts

• Egalitarianism (extreme or simplistic): The doctrine that all people should be treated equally, which "cào bằng" often criticizes as being implemented without nuance.
• Uniformity: The quality of being the same across all elements, which can be a result of "cào bằng."

1. Level