The Vietnamese word "rập khuôn" means to imitate something in a very rigid or uncreative way. It suggests copying or following a model without thinking for oneself. Essentially, it implies that someone is not being original and is simply mimicking others.
In more complex discussions, "rập khuôn" can refer to the idea that educational systems or workplaces may sometimes enforce conformity rather than encouraging innovative thinking. For instance, when discussing the need for creativity in problem-solving, you might say: - "Trong giáo dục, chúng ta không nên rập khuôn mọi phương pháp giảng dạy." - "In education, we should not rigidly copy every teaching method."
While "rập khuôn" primarily refers to imitation in a negative sense, it can also be used more neutrally to describe a situation where processes or methods are standardized. However, the negative connotation is more common.