Japanese word

模倣

Pronunciation

Romajimohō

Meaning

  • nounimitation

Example

子どもは先生の動きを模倣します。ko do mo wa sen sei no ugo ki o mo hō shi ma su

The child imitates the teacher's movements.

Illustration for 模倣 (imitation)

More examples

芸術では、単なる模倣よりも独自の工夫が評価されます。gei jutsu de wa tan na ru mo hō yo ri mo doku ji no ku fū ga hyō ka sa re ma su

In art, original ideas are valued more than mere imitation.

Core concept

Reproduces an existing form, style, or action by following it as a model.

Common phrases

  • 模倣の対象mo hō no tai shō

    object of imitation

  • 模倣による学習mo hō ni yo ru gaku shū

    learning through imitation

Similar words

真似mane: An act of copying another person's action, behavior, or style.
模造mozō: The making of an object to look like an existing object, often without being the original.
複製fukusei: A copy made to reproduce an original object, document, or work.

Definition in Japanese

手本や既存のものを手がかりにして、その形ややり方を再現すること。te hon ya ki son no mo no o te ga ka ri ni shi te so no katachi ya ya ri kata o sai gen su ru ko to

Word origin

The compound combines 模 (mo, "pattern or model") with 倣 (hō, "follow as a model"), giving 模倣 (mohō) its sense of imitation.

Usage tips

  • The word appears in 模倣品 (mohōhin), meaning a product made to resemble another product, so it often describes deliberate reproduction of a recognizable design.

Other meanings

  • copyingnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 模倣者mohōshaimitatornoun
  • 模倣的mohōtekiimitativena-adjective

Word lists with this word