真似|まねmane[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N3approx.Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbimitating; copying; mimicry
  2. noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbbehavior; behaviour; action; conduct
    その少年しょうねんは馬鹿ばかなまねをした。↗
    The boy made a fool of himself.
Conjugation
Dictionary form真似する(まねする)
Polite (masu)真似します(まねします)
Negative (nai)真似しない(まねしない)
polite (masen)真似しません(まねしません)
classical zu / nu真似せず・真似せぬ(まねせず・まねせぬ)
Past (ta)真似した(まねした)
polite (mashita)真似しました(まねしました)
Past negative (nakatta)真似しなかった(まねしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)真似しませんでした(まねしませんでした)
Te form真似して(まねして)
Potential真似できる(まねできる)
Passive真似される(まねされる)
Causative真似させる(まねさせる)
Causative passive真似させられる(まねさせられる)
Conditional (ba)真似すれば(まねすれば)
tara真似したら(まねしたら)
Volitional真似しよう(まねしよう)
polite (mashou)真似しましょう(まねしましょう)
Imperative真似しろ(まねしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym模倣もほうWrittenWritten/formal word for imitation or copying, as in 「模倣犯」. 「真似」 is the everyday spoken word and can also refer to behavior or conduct.
  • SynonymコピーNeutralLoanword for photocopying, duplication, or advertising copy; stresses exact, as-is reproduction rather than the imitative behavior 「真似」 can describe.
  • Synonym真似るまねるNeutralThe verb form: to imitate someone's actions, words, or manner, as in 「声を真似る」. 「真似」 is the noun, usually in the pattern 「真似をする」.
  • SynonymイミテーションNeutralLoanword for imitation; most often names imitation goods and fakes, as in 「イミテーションの宝石」, though it can also mean the act of imitating.
  • Related模写もしゃWrittenWritten/formal term for faithfully copying a painting or calligraphy from the original; it centers on exact reproduction, not mimicking a person’s manner.
  • Related似せるにせるNeutralVerb meaning to make something resemble something else, as in 「本物に似せる」; it centers on producing a close likeness, not the act of imitation itself.
  • RelatedものまねNeutralImitating the voices or actions of people or animals as a performance, as in 「物真似芸人」. Performance mimicry — a narrower use than 「真似」.
  • RelatedコピるCasualSlangy verb formed from 「コピー」: to photocopy, or to copy something exactly as it is. A casual, colloquial word.
  • Antonym独創どくそうWrittenWritten/formal word for originality — creating from one's own ideas instead of imitating others; the direct opposite of 「真似」.
  • Antonym創造そうぞうNeutralCreating something new from one's own ideas. Contrasts with 「真似」, which follows what others have done.

For everyday imitation or copying someone's manner, use 「真似」, with the verb 「真似る」; it can also mean behavior. In formal writing choose 「模倣」; for comic impressions of voices use 「物真似」; for exact reproduction use 「コピー」. 「イミテーション」 is for fake goods and 「模写」 for copies of artwork. Opposites: 「独創」, 「創造」.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. まねること。模倣もほうすること。
  2. (多おおく否定的ひていてきなニュアンスで)行動こうどう。振る舞ふるまい。
Kanji in this word

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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