Japanese word

真似

Pronunciation

Romajimane

Meaning

  • nouncopying

Example

弟は私の真似をします。otōto wa watashi no mane o shi ma su

My younger brother copies me.

Illustration for 真似 (copying)

More examples

料理は、上手な人の真似から始めても、最後には自分のやり方が見つかります。ryō ri wa jō zu na hito no mane ka ra haji me te mo sai go ni wa ji bun no ya ri kata ga mi tsu ka ri ma su

Even if you start cooking by copying someone skilled, you will eventually find your own way.

Core concept

It describes reproducing another person's actions, words, or style by making them your own actions.

Common phrases

  • 真似をするmane o su ru

    copy

  • 人の真似をするhito no mane o su ru

    imitate someone

  • 真似が上手mane ga jō zu

    good at copying

Similar words

模倣mohō: The act of reproducing a model's actions, behavior, or style in a deliberate way.
物まねmonomane: A performance that copies someone's voice, movements, or manner, often for amusement.
猿真似sarumane: Imitation that follows another person's actions without understanding their purpose.

Definition in Japanese

他人の動作や言葉などを同じように行うこと。ta nin no dō sa ya koto ba na do o ona ji yō ni okona u ko to

Word origin

The native Japanese noun 真似 (mane, "imitation") is closely related to the verb 真似る (maneru, "to imitate") and shares its stem 真似 (mane).

Usage tips

  • The noun can describe playful imitation as well as copying that is criticized, so the surrounding context shows whether it sounds approving or disapproving.

Opposites

  • 独創dokusōoriginalitynoun
  • 独自性dokujiseioriginalitynoun

Related words

Word lists with this word