emulate; follow the example of; take as model
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to emulate; to follow the example of; to take as a model
formalFormal and literary usage. Frequently appears in the idiom '取法乎上，仅得其中' (if you emulate the best, you will only achieve mediocrity), suggesting that one should aim for the highest standards to achieve acceptable results.
Qǔ取
fǎ法
hū乎
shàng上
，
jǐn仅
dé得
qí其
zhōng中
；
qǔ取
fǎ法
hū乎
zhōng中
，
jǐn仅
dé得
qí其
xià下
。
If you emulate the best, you will only achieve mediocrity; if you emulate the mediocre, you will only achieve inferiority.
Tā他
zài在
shū书
fǎ法
shàng上
qǔ取
fǎ法
Èr二
Wáng王
，
zì自
chéng成
yī一
jiā家
。
In calligraphy, he modeled himself after the Two Wangs, forming his own unique style.
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Yì艺
shù术
chuàng创
zuò作
yīng应
dāng当
qǔ取
fǎ法
zì自
rán然
，
ér而
fēi非
kè刻
yì意
diāo雕
zhuó琢
。
Artistic creation should take nature as its model, rather than being deliberately overworked.