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Kotomora

倣

emulate, imitate

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 5,000Strokes10

Readings

On'yomi

  • ホウ

Kun'yomi

  • なら.う

Meaning

倣 centers on copying a model or example: to emulate or imitate someone's actions or style.

Most common words using 倣

  • 模倣もほう
    N1

    imitation; copying

  • 倣うならう
    N2

    to imitate; to follow; to copy; to emulate

  • 先例に倣うせんれいにならう

    to follow precedent

  • 前例に倣うぜんれいにならう

    to follow (copy after) a precedent

  • 模倣品もほうひん

    counterfeit goods; knock-off; imitation

  • 模倣犯もほうはん

    copycat criminal; copycat crime

  • 模倣者もほうしゃ

    imitator

  • 顰みに倣うひそみにならう

    to imitate ridiculously

Explore all words using 倣 →

Study

Etymology

倣 combines 亻 (person) with 放, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of releasing or following a pattern. The exact historical development is uncertain.

Meaning mnemonic

A person 亻 beside 放, which suggests letting go or releasing. Imagine a person releasing their own style to follow another's example, imitating them.

Reading mnemonic

For ホウ, picture a person imitating a famous Hollywood star: Hollywood -> ホウ, and the person copies every move.