For English speakers, “plagiarism” is a straightforward concept: it's academic theft, and it's always wrong. In China, while 抄袭 (chāoxí) is also a serious accusation, the cultural background is more nuanced. Historically, in many traditional Chinese arts like calligraphy (书法 shūfǎ) and painting (国画 guóhuà), faithfully copying the work of a master was not considered theft but the highest form of respect and a fundamental learning technique. This “imitation as mastery” was a cornerstone of education. A student was expected to perfectly replicate the master's strokes before developing their own style. This contrasts sharply with the modern Western emphasis on absolute originality from the outset. In contemporary China, especially in academia and international business, Western norms regarding intellectual property have been adopted, and 抄袭 is treated with the same severity as it is in the West. There are strict university policies against it, and companies can be sued for copyright infringement. However, the cultural echo of “imitation as learning” can still be seen in the phenomenon of 山寨 (shānzhài), or “copycat” products. While distinct from 抄袭, this demonstrates a greater societal tolerance for imitation in certain commercial contexts than might be found in the West. For a learner, it's crucial to understand that in any formal setting (school, work), 抄袭 is a serious offense, just as it is in English-speaking countries.
抄袭 (chāoxí) is a strong, accusatory word. You would use it to call out cheating, infringement, or a lack of originality.
The connotation is always negative and implies immoral and dishonest behavior.
A common mistake for learners is to use 抄袭 (chāoxí) for any act of copying. It is critical to understand that 抄袭 is not a neutral term; it implies theft and dishonesty.