Translation guide
The English word "imitating" covers a range of actions from copying behavior or sounds to mimicking someone's style. In Japanese, the best expression depends on what is being imitated and the intent behind it.
To express that someone is copying another person's movements, gestures, or mannerisms, often in a playful or mocking way.
He imitated the teacher's way of walking.
It's common for children to imitate their parents' tone of voice.
Specifically refers to mimicking someone's voice, gestures, or performance, often as an impersonation for entertainment.
He is good at imitating celebrities.
To express that someone is reproducing a sound, such as an animal noise or a person's voice.
To express that someone is modeling their behavior, work, or approach after another person, often with admiration or as a learning method.
To express that someone is imitating another person to make fun of them.
To express that something is made in the style of something else, often as a copy or homage.
真似する is neutral and can be used for any kind of imitation, including mocking or playful copying. 見習う is specifically for following a good example with the intent to learn or improve oneself.
My younger brother imitates me.
You should follow his example of hard work.
When talking about products or designs that are 'imitations' (i.e., knockoffs), 偽物 (にせもの, fake) or コピー商品 (コピーしょうひん, copy product) might be more natural than 模倣.
I practiced by imitating my senior.
それはただの猿真似だ。
That's just mindless imitation.
彼は師匠の筆遣いを真似た。
He imitated his master's brushwork.