真似る|まねるmaneru[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N2approx.Common
Definitions
  1. ichidan verb, transitive verbto mimic; to imitate
    オウムはしばしば人ひとの言葉ことばをまねる。↗
    Parrots often imitate human speech.
Conjugation
Dictionary form真似る(まねる)
Polite (masu)真似ます(まねます)
Negative (nai)真似ない(まねない)
polite (masen)真似ません(まねません)
classical zu / nu真似ず・真似ぬ(まねず・まねぬ)
Past (ta)真似た(まねた)
polite (mashita)真似ました(まねました)
Past negative (nakatta)真似なかった(まねなかった)
polite (masen deshita)真似ませんでした(まねませんでした)
Te form真似て(まねて)
Potential真似られる(まねられる)
Passive真似られる(まねられる)
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)真似れば(まねれば)
tara真似たら(まねたら)
Volitional真似よう(まねよう)
polite (mashou)真似ましょう(まねましょう)
Imperative真似ろ(まねろ)

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

Synonyms & antonyms
  • SynonymならうWrittenFollows a precedent or earlier example, as in 「前例に倣う」; written/formal prose, with the emphasis on adhering to it.
  • Synonym模写もしゃWrittenA noun for copying a painting or calligraphy work; written/formal prose, stressing faithful reproduction of the original.
  • Synonym真似まねNeutralThe noun counterpart: imitating or copying someone, but also an act or behavior, as in 「ばかな真似」; very common in speech.
  • Synonym似せるにせるNeutralDeliberately making something resemble something else, often with a counterfeit nuance, as in 「本物に似せる」.
  • Synonym見習うみならうNeutralLearning by taking someone as a role model, with a positive nuance; 「真似る」 is simply doing the same thing.
  • SynonymコピーNeutralA loanword for photocopying or duplicating; the emphasis is on reproducing the original exactly as it is.
  • Synonym人まねひとまねNeutralA noun for imitating other people, often derogatory, implying a lack of one's own ideas.
  • SynonymものまねNeutralA noun for mimicking the voices and actions of people or animals; also impersonation as entertainment, as in 「物真似芸人」.
  • SynonymコピるCasualSlang for copying something out or duplicating it; casual young people's speech.
  • Related追随ついずいWrittenA noun for following behind others or imitating them, as in 「時流に追随する」; 「他社の追随を許さない」 means others cannot catch up. Written/formal prose.
  • Antonym独創するWrittenThe antonym: to create something independently and originally, the opposite of 「真似る」, which does things the way others do. Written/formal prose.

Use 「真似る」 as the default for doing something the way someone else does. Pick 「倣う」 to follow a precedent, 「見習う」 to learn from a role model, 「物真似」 for imitation acts, and 「模写」 for copying a painting or calligraphy work; 「独創する」 is the opposite, creating something original.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 他人たにんの行動こうどうや言葉ことば、態度たいどなどを同おなじようにすること。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents

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

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