Definition

1. Verb:
   • To imitate; to follow the example of: To copy the behavior, style, or actions of others, often peers.
   • To pursue; to apply oneself to: To dedicate effort and attention to a particular activity, study, or craft.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cậu bé chỉ biết theo đòi bạn bè xấu. (The boy only knows how to imitate his bad friends.)
  • Cô ấy theo đòi việc học hành rất chăm chỉ. (She pursues her studies very diligently.)
  • Anh ấy quyết tâm theo đòi nghề viết. (He is determined to pursue a writing career.)

Advanced Usage

• The term can carry a slightly negative or passive connotation when meaning "to imitate," suggesting a lack of originality or simply going along with the crowd.
• In a more positive or neutral sense, it emphasizes dedication and sustained effort in a pursuit.

Variants and Related Words

• Bắt chước (v): to imitate, to mimic. This is a more common and direct synonym for the "imitate" meaning of .
• Theo học (v): to study under; to follow a course of study. This is a more specific term for academic pursuit.

Synonyms

• Imitate: to follow as a model.
• Emulate: to match or surpass, typically by imitation.
• Pursue: to follow or engage in an activity or course of action.

Related Idioms

• Theo đòi bút nghiên: A classical idiom meaning "to pursue scholarly studies" or "to follow the path of pen and ink."
  • Suốt bao năm theo đòi bút nghiên, cuối cùng anh ấy cũng tốt nghiệp. (After all those years pursuing scholarly studies, he finally graduated.)