如法炮制 (rú fǎ páo zhì) — to follow a set pattern; to do something exactly as someone else did before

Definition

A 成语 meaning 'to follow a set recipe / do exactly as before' — copying a known method instead of innovating. Often carries a mildly negative nuance, implying uncreative imitation.

idiom
to follow a set patternto do something exactly as someone else did before

Examples

  • 如法炮制，。
    Xīn lái de jīng lǐ rú fǎ páo zhì, wán quán zhào bān qián rèn de guǎn lǐ fāng shì.
    The new manager followed the same pattern and completely copied the predecessor's management style.
  • 如法炮制，。
    Tā men rú fǎ páo zhì, bǎ qù nián chéng gōng de yíng xiāo fāng àn yòu yòng le yí cì.
    They followed the set pattern and used last year's successful marketing plan again.
  • 如法炮制，。
    Xiě lùn wén shí bù néng zǒng shì rú fǎ páo zhì, yào yǒu zì jǐ de chuàng xīn diǎn.
    When writing a thesis, you can't always follow a set pattern; you need to have your own innovative points.

Origin

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
口口kǒumouth
Sound part声符shēngfú
女
女nǚ如rú
Same sound today

如 is built from 口 (mouth) for its meaning and 女 (woman) for its sound.

Open 如 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
氵Written in full as水shuǐwater
廌廌zhìa type of antelope or caprid
Sound part声符shēngfú
盍
盍hé法fǎ
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

法's older form combined 氵 (water) and 廌 (a type of antelope or caprid), with 盍 as a sound part; later 廌 was dropped.

Open 法 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
火火huǒ
Sound part声符shēngfú
包
包bāo炮pào
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

炮 combines 火 and 包; 包 supplies the sound.

Open 炮 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The form 制 pairs 朱 (tree) with 刀 (knife), showing the act of cutting a tree.

Open 制 →

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