Translation guide
The act of imitating someone or something, often for entertainment, camouflage, or learning. Japanese has distinct words for biological mimicry, vocal imitation, and playful copying.
When an animal or plant resembles another species or its surroundings for protection or predation.
The standard biological term for mimicry in nature, such as insects resembling leaves or harmless species imitating dangerous ones.
この蛾は枯れ葉に擬態している。
This moth mimics a dead leaf.
Copying someone's voice, speech patterns, or animal sounds, often for entertainment.
General term for vocal or behavioral imitation, especially as a performance. Can refer to impersonating celebrities or mimicking sounds.
彼は有名人の物真似が上手だ。
He is good at doing impressions of celebrities.
鳥の鳴き声の物真似をしてみせた。
He did an imitation of a bird's call.
A more technical term for vocal mimicry, literally 'vocal cord copy'. Often used in contexts of professional voice imitation.
Imitating someone's actions, gestures, or style, often in a teasing or humorous way.
The most common word for copying someone's behavior or actions. Can be neutral, playful, or mocking depending on context. Often used with する (to imitate).
弟が私の真似ばかりする。
My little brother is always imitating me.
彼女は先生の真似をしてクラスを笑わせた。
She made the class laugh by mimicking the teacher.
Literally 'monkey imitation', meaning mindless or superficial copying without understanding. Often used negatively.
Deliberately copying a model to acquire a skill, such as language learning or martial arts.
Formal term for imitation, often used in educational, artistic, or technical contexts. Implies a conscious effort to replicate.
子供は親の行動を模倣して学ぶ。
Children learn by imitating their parents' behavior.
発音練習ではネイティブの模倣が効果的だ。
In pronunciation practice, imitating native speakers is effective.
Learning by watching and imitating, without formal instruction. Literally 'look and imitate'.
真似 (まね) is the most general and casual term for imitating actions or behavior. 物真似 (ものまね) specifically refers to vocal or performance impressions. 模倣 (もほう) is formal and used for deliberate imitation in learning or art.
The English word 'mimicry' is often translated as 擬態 (ぎたい) in dictionaries, but this is primarily a biological term. For everyday imitation, use 真似 or 物真似 depending on context.
声帯模写の芸で観客を笑わせた。
He made the audience laugh with his vocal mimicry act.
それはただの猿真似だ。
That's just mindless imitation.
見よう見まねで料理を作ってみた。
I tried cooking by watching and imitating.