Translation guide
The English verb "mimic" covers a range of actions from neutral imitation to mocking or biological mimicry. In Japanese, different words are used depending on whether you are copying someone's speech, actions, appearance, or behavior, and whether the intent is playful, mocking, or protective.
To copy the way someone talks, moves, or behaves, often to make fun of them or for entertainment.
The most common and versatile word for imitating someone's speech or actions. Can be neutral, playful, or mocking depending on context.
彼は先生の話し方を真似した。
He mimicked the teacher's way of speaking.
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 mimic their parents' tone of voice.
Specifically refers to imitating someone's voice or mannerisms, often as a performance or party trick. Strongly associated with impersonations.
彼は有名人の物真似が上手だ。
He is good at mimicking celebrities.
Literally 'monkey mimicry'. A derogatory term for mindless, superficial imitation without understanding. Often used critically.
彼のやり方はただの猿真似だ。
His method is just mindless mimicry.
To imitate the way someone looks, dresses, or presents themselves.
The verb form of 真似. Used for copying appearance, style, or behavior.
彼女は姉のファッションを真似た。
She mimicked her older sister's fashion.
A common pattern meaning 'to do an imitation of ~'. Can be used for appearance, speech, or behavior.
彼はよく友達の真似をして笑わせる。
He often mimics his friends to make people laugh.
To reproduce a sound, voice, or noise, often for effect or practice.
Also used for mimicking sounds, such as animal calls or mechanical noises.
彼は鳥の鳴き声を真似るのが得意だ。
He is good at mimicking bird calls.
A technical term for vocal mimicry or impersonation, often used in entertainment contexts like voice acting.
When a living thing evolves to resemble another species or object for protection or predation.
The scientific term for biological mimicry. Used for insects, animals, or plants that mimic their surroundings or other species.
この蛾は葉に擬態している。
This moth mimics a leaf.
The verb form of 擬態, meaning 'to mimic' in a biological sense.
カメレオンは周囲の色に擬態する。
Chameleons mimic the colors of their surroundings.
To imitate the function or effect of something, often in technology or medicine.
Means 'to imitate' or 'to copy' in a more formal or technical sense. Used for replicating functions, systems, or behaviors.
この薬はホルモンの作用を模倣する。
This drug mimics the action of hormones.
Can also be used in casual contexts for simulating or replicating functions, but 模倣する is more precise for technical descriptions.
AIが人間の会話を真似る技術が進んでいる。
Technology that allows AI to mimic human conversation is advancing.
English 'mimic' can be a verb or a noun. In Japanese, you usually need to use a phrase like 真似をする or choose a specific word like 擬態 for biological contexts. Simply saying ミミック is not natural.
真似る is everyday language for copying someone's actions or speech. 模倣する is more formal and often used for imitating systems, styles, or in technical contexts. 模倣 carries a nuance of deliberate replication, while 真似 can be casual or even unconscious.
声帯模写ができる芸人は人気がある。
Comedians who can do vocal mimicry are popular.