How to say "imitation" in Japanese

• 偽にせCommon
  no-adjectiveCovers the 'fake' or 'phony' sense: something passed off as the genuine article or simply not real. Counterfeit money and phony brand-name goods are typical contexts.
  それは贋にせの真珠しんじゅにすぎない。↗

  It is merely an imitation pearl.
• 模擬もぎCommon
  no-adjective, suru verb, transitive verbCovers 'imitation' in the sense of a mock or simulated version — a practice exam, a simulated battle — not a fake meant to deceive. It normally appears as part of compound words rather than alone.
  未来みらいのパイロットは模擬もぎ操縦室そうじゅうしつで訓練くんれんされる。↗

  The future pilot is trained in a mock cockpit.
• 模倣もほうJLPT N1approx.Common
  suru verb, transitive verb, no-adjectiveThe act of imitating or copying — someone's mannerisms, an artist's style, a famous artwork. It names the action or process itself, not a fake object.
  全すべての子供こどもには、尊敬そんけいし模倣もほうする人ひとが必要ひつようだ。↗

  Every child needs someone to look up to and copy.
• 人造じんぞうJLPT N2approx.Common
  no-adjectiveUsed for 'imitation' only in the sense of man-made or synthetic versions of natural things, like imitation pearls or flowers; for other senses it is not the word you want.
  これらの真珠しんじゅは人造じんぞうではなく本物ほんものです。↗

  These pearls are genuine, not artificial.
• 模造もぞうCommon
  suru verb, transitive verb, no-adjectiveRefers to imitation objects or replicas made to resemble an original, shading into 'counterfeit' or 'sham'. It appears chiefly in set expressions, so it is seldom the general word for 'imitation'.

Use 偽 for fakes and counterfeits, 模擬 for mock or simulated versions, 模倣 for the act of copying, 人造 for man-made or synthetic materials, and 模造 for imitation objects or replicas.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 偽にせimitation
• 模擬もぎimitation
• 模倣もほうimitation
• 人造じんぞうartificial
• 模造もぞうimitation
• 作り物つくりものartificial product
• 偽物にせものspurious article
• ものまねimitation (of someone, something)
• まがいimitation
• 真似事まねごとimitation
• イミテーションimitation
• まがい物まがいものimitation
• 擬製ぎせいimitation
• 模作もさくimitation (work)
• 模造品もぞうひんimitation
• 類似品るいじひんimitation
• 人まねひとまねmimicry
• 偽性ぎせいpseudo
• 拵え物こしらえものfake
• 模倣品もほうひんcounterfeit goods
• いかものfake
• パチもんspurious article
• 後追いあとおいimitation
• なんちゃってersatz
• 右へならえみぎへならえfollowing someone's example (uncritically)