Definition

1. Verb:
   • To ape / to mimic in a shallow way: To imitate someone's behavior, style, or habits, often without understanding or in a superficial, unreflective manner. It carries a negative connotation of blindly copying, usually to appear a certain way.
   • To take a leaf out of someone's book (derogatory): To copy or follow someone's example, but with the implication that it is done poorly, without genuine substance, or in a trend-following way.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cậu ấy chỉ học đòi phong cách của người nổi tiếng. (He just apes the style of celebrities.)
  • Đừng học đòi những thói xa hoa. (Don't ape expensive tastes.)
  • Học đòi người khác một cách mù quáng sẽ không mang lại giá trị thực. (Blindly aping others will not bring real value.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is almost exclusively used in a critical or disapproving context. It highlights a lack of originality, critical thought, or authentic adoption of the imitated trait.

Variants and Related Words

• Bắt chước (v): to imitate, to mimic. This is a more neutral term for copying, without the inherent negative judgment of "học đòi."

Synonyms

• Ape: to imitate slavishly.
• Mimic (in a derogatory sense): to copy superficially.
• Copycat (verb sense): to imitate without originality.

Related Idioms

• Học đòi làm sang: to put on airs; to ape aristocratic or luxurious manners in an attempt to appear refined or wealthy.
  • Anh ta nghèo nhưng lúc nào cũng học đòi làm sang. (He is poor but is always putting on airs.)

1. Ape, take a leaf out of the book of
   • Học đòi những thói xa hoa
     To ape other's expensive tastes