B2 adjective Neutral 1 min read

俗套

sutao /su²¹⁴ tʰɑʊ²¹⁴/

Anything predictable and overused, lacking fresh appeal, can be described as '俗套'.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Describes things lacking originality or freshness.
  • Often used for predictable plots, dialogues, or ideas.
  • Implies commonness and a lack of creative appeal.

Overview

俗套 (sútào) 是一个非常常用的中文词汇,用来描述那些缺乏原创性、过于普通、或者已经被用得太多而显得陈腐的事物。它可以用来形容故事的情节、人物的设定、说话的方式、甚至是一些行为模式。当一个事物被认为是“俗套”的,意味着它没有带来惊喜,或者不能引起人们的兴趣,因为它太容易被预料到或与许多其他类似的事物雷同。

俗套通常用作形容词,修饰名词,例如“俗套的情节”、“俗套的对话”、“俗套的桥段”。它也可以单独使用,表示“这是俗套的”。在句子中,它常常用来表达一种批评或不满,指出某事物缺乏创意或过于普通。

在评论电影、电视剧、小说、戏剧等文艺作品时,经常会用到“俗套”这个词,来评价其剧情设计或人物塑造。在日常对话中,人们也可能用“俗套”来形容一些过时的说法、不新颖的建议,或者重复性高的行为。例如,有人可能会说:“这种追求财富的励志故事太俗套了,没什么新意。”

与“老套 (lǎotào)”相比,“俗套”更侧重于事物因被广泛模仿而失去新意,带有普遍性和流行性贬义。“老套”则更强调年代久远、过时。“陈词滥调 (chéncí-làndiào)”则特指那些被反复使用的、缺乏思想深度的语言或观点,比“俗套”更狭窄,主要用于语言表达。

“守旧 (shǒujiù)”则形容思想、习惯、做法等方面不愿改变,墨守成规,与“俗套”的“缺乏新意”有所不同,更侧重于“不思进取”。

“庸俗 (yōngsú)”形容粗俗、不高雅,与“俗套”的“缺乏新意”侧重点不同,更多是关于品味和格调的问题。

Examples

1

这个爱情故事的结局太俗套了,男女主角最后一定会在一起。

everyday

The ending of this love story is too clichéd; the male and female protagonists will definitely end up together.

2

我们应该避免使用那些陈旧的、俗套的宣传口号。

formal

We should avoid using those old and hackneyed slogans for promotion.

3

他总是说一些俗套的笑话,大家听了都觉得没意思。

informal

He always tells some clichéd jokes, and everyone finds them boring.

4

许多评论家认为,该理论的论证过程缺乏新意,显得有些俗套。

academic

Many critics believe that the argumentation process of this theory lacks novelty and appears somewhat hackneyed.

Common Collocations

俗套的情节 clichéd plot
俗套的桥段 hackneyed trope/scene
落入俗套 fall into a rut/cliché
俗套的说法 clichéd expression

Common Phrases

落入俗套

to fall into a rut

不落俗套

unconventional, not clichéd

俗套的故事

a clichéd story

Often Confused With

俗套 vs 老套

'俗套' (sútào) emphasizes things becoming stale due to widespread use, often implying a lack of creativity. '老套' (lǎotào) focuses more on being outdated or old-fashioned, sometimes referring to old ideas or methods.

俗套 vs 陈词滥调

'俗套' (sútào) is a broader term for anything unoriginal or predictable. '陈词滥调' (chéncí-làndiào) specifically refers to overused phrases or expressions that lack depth and originality in language.

Grammar Patterns

形容词 + 名词 (e.g., 俗套的情节) 主语 + 显得/有点 + 俗套 (e.g., 这个故事有点俗套) 落入俗套

How to Use It

Usage Notes

Usage typically carries a negative connotation, implying a lack of creativity or originality. It is commonly used in critiques of media, literature, or predictable social behaviors. While it can describe ideas, it's most frequently applied to narratives, dialogues, and established patterns.


Common Mistakes

Avoid using '俗套' to describe something genuinely new or innovative; it specifically denotes predictability and overuse. Ensure the context implies staleness rather than simply being traditional or established. Do not confuse its meaning with 'old-fashioned' (老套) which focuses on age, or 'vulgar' (庸俗) which relates to taste.

Tips

💡

Embrace Originality, Avoid Clichés

When creating content or expressing ideas, strive for unique perspectives and avoid predictable patterns to keep things engaging and fresh.

⚠️

Beware of Predictable Tropes

Recognizing clichés in stories or conversations helps you identify when something feels uninspired and overly familiar.

🌍

Cultural Resonance vs. Cliché

While some common themes resonate culturally, overuse can turn them into clichés. The line between relatable and '俗套' depends on execution and novelty.

Word Origin

The term '俗套' (sútào) combines '俗' (sú), meaning common, popular, or vulgar, and '套' (tào), meaning a set, pattern, or routine. Together, they literally mean a 'common pattern' or 'popular routine', highlighting its lack of uniqueness and prevalence.

Cultural Context

In Chinese culture, there's often an appreciation for novelty and innovation. While traditional elements are valued, '俗套' represents the negative side of tradition – when it becomes a stifling repetition rather than a cherished heritage.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'su' (俗) person always repeating the same 'tao' (套) routine; it gets boring and predictable.

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions

“俗套”强调事物因被广泛使用而失去新意,常用于评价情节、桥段等,带有普遍性贬义。“老套”则更侧重于年代久远、过时,有时也指思想观念陈旧。

“俗套”可以用来形容电影、小说的情节,人物的设定,说话的方式,甚至是一些行为模式和想法。只要是缺乏新意、过于普遍、容易被预料到的,都可以称为“俗套”。

“俗套”通常是贬义词。它带有批评的意味,指出某事物缺乏创意、陈旧,不能给人带来新鲜感或惊喜。

要避免使用“俗套”的表达,就需要注重创新和独特性。在写作、说话或创作时,尝试寻找新的角度、独特的观点和新鲜的表达方式,避免落入常见的窠臼。

Test Yourself

fill blank

这部电影的情节太______了,我一眼就猜到了结局。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 俗套

句意是说情节容易被猜到,说明缺乏新意,符合“俗套”的定义。

multiple choice

“俗套”最贴切的描述是:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 陈旧、缺乏新意、容易预测

“俗套”的核心意思是陈旧、缺乏新意,容易被预测,常带有负面评价。

sentence building

请将以下词语组成一个通顺的句子:情节、俗套、这部、有点、小说。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 这部小说情节有点俗套。

“这部小说情节有点俗套”是一个语法正确且意思连贯的句子,用“俗套”形容“情节”。

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