真似|まねmane[0]heiban (flat)
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- noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbimitating; copying; mimicry
- noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbbehavior; behaviour; action; conduct
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.
- 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


