Translation guide
The English word "imitation" covers a range of concepts from copying behavior to artificial substitutes. This guide breaks down the most useful Japanese expressions for learners.
Expressing the act of imitating someone's actions, speech, or mannerisms.
The most common and versatile word for imitation, covering both deliberate copying and mimicry. Often used in the phrase 真似をする (to imitate).
彼は先生の真似をするのが上手だ。
He is good at imitating the teacher.
Children learn words by imitating their parents.
Specifically refers to impersonations or mimicry of voices, sounds, or famous people, often as entertainment.
His impersonations are professional-level.
A more formal term for imitation, often used in academic or technical contexts, such as learning by imitation or artistic imitation.
Children acquire social skills through imitation.
Describing something that is not genuine, such as imitation leather, jewelry, or food.
Refers to imitation goods, often with a neutral or technical tone. Commonly used in compounds like 模造品 (imitation goods) or 模造皮革 (imitation leather).
This bag is made of imitation leather.
Means fake or counterfeit, often with a negative connotation. Used for knock-off products or forged items.
A loanword from English, often used in fashion or product descriptions to mean imitation or faux, e.g., イミテーションジュエリー (imitation jewelry).
Means artificial or man-made, used for materials like 人造皮革 (artificial leather) or 人造大理石 (imitation marble). More technical than 模造.
Referring to imitation in creative fields, such as copying a painting style or literary technique.
Used in artistic contexts to mean imitation or copying of a style. Can be neutral or negative depending on context.
His work is nothing more than an imitation of Picasso.
A literary or artistic term for an imitation or a work created in the style of another, often with a nuance of a study or homage.
Expressing the concept of learning by imitating a model or example.
A set phrase meaning learning by watching and imitating, often without formal instruction. Implies picking up a skill through observation.
He learned to cook by imitation (watching and copying).
A pattern meaning to use something as a model or example to imitate. 手本 means model or example.
I model my life after his (imitate his way of living).
真似 (まね) is the everyday word for imitation of actions or behavior. 模倣 (もほう) is formal and used in academic or artistic contexts. 物真似 (ものまね) specifically means impersonation or mimicry as performance.
In many cases, English 'imitation' is better expressed with a verb phrase like 真似をする or a compound like 模造品. Using 模倣 or 模造 alone can sound unnatural without context.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
A natural Japanese rendering of the proverb, using 真似.
This is a cheap imitation.
Uses 偽物 for a fake/counterfeit item, with 安物 (cheap thing) for emphasis.
これは偽物のブランド品だ。
This is a fake brand-name item.
She was wearing an imitation pearl necklace.
この床は人造大理石でできている。
This floor is made of imitation marble.
This poem is an imitation of the Manyoshu style.