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.
The most common and versatile verb for imitating actions or behavior. Can be used for both playful and serious contexts.
彼は先生の歩き方を真似した。
He imitated the teacher's way of walking.
子供が親の口調を真似するのはよくあることだ。
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.
彼は有名人の物真似が上手だ。
He is good at imitating celebrities.
To express that someone is reproducing a sound, such as an animal noise or a person's voice.
Works for sounds as well as actions. Often used with onomatopoeia.
彼女は鳥の鳴き声を真似するのが得意だ。
She is good at imitating bird calls.
Noun meaning voice imitation or impression. Often used in entertainment contexts.
彼の声真似はそっくりだ。
His voice imitation is spot-on.
To express that someone is modeling their behavior, work, or approach after another person, often with admiration or as a learning method.
Means to follow someone's good example or learn from them. Has a positive connotation of respect.
彼の勤勉さを見習いたい。
I want to imitate his diligence.
Literally 'to make into a model', meaning to use someone as a role model or example to follow.
先輩を手本にして練習した。
I practiced by imitating my senior.
To express that someone is imitating another person to make fun of them.
Can be used for mocking imitation, often with an adverb like わざと (on purpose) or からかって (teasingly).
彼は私の話し方をわざと真似してからかった。
He deliberately imitated my way of speaking to tease me.
Literally 'monkey imitation', meaning mindless or mocking imitation. Can be derogatory.
それはただの猿真似だ。
That's just mindless imitation.
To express that something is made in the style of something else, often as a copy or homage.
Formal word for imitation, often used for copying styles, designs, or products. Can imply a lack of originality.
その絵画はピカソの模倣だ。
That painting is an imitation of Picasso.
Verb form similar to 真似する, but slightly more literary. Can be used for stylistic imitation.
彼は師匠の筆遣いを真似た。
He imitated his master's brushwork.
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.
弟が私の真似をする。
My younger brother imitates me.
彼の努力を見習うべきだ。
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.