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型にはまる (かたにはまる) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, godan verb (-ru)
fit the mold ; be conventional ; be unoriginal
idiomatic expression
Describes something or someone that conforms to a fixed pattern, standard, or expectation, often with a negative nuance of lacking originality or being predictable. Used for ideas, behavior, stories, etc.
See also: 型に嵌める (かたにはめる)
You can't solve new problems with conventional thinking.
Written forms 型かた にはまる
Standard kanji spelling using 型 (mold/pattern).
型かた に 嵌は まる
Variant spelling using 嵌まる (to fit into). Less common but still seen.
Similar words 型かた にはめる Transitive counterpart meaning 'to force into a mold' or 'to stereotype'. 型にはまる is intransitive, describing the state of fitting a mold.
杓しゃく 子し 定じょう 規ぎ Means 'rigidly adhering to rules' or 'inflexible'. 型にはまる focuses more on conformity to a pattern or convention, while 杓子定規 emphasizes strict rule-following.
Etymology Compound of 型 (kata, 'mold, pattern') + に (particle) + はまる (hamaru, 'to fit into'). Literally 'to fit into a mold', extended to mean conforming to a standard or being unoriginal.
