真似

• Reading: まね
• Romaji: mane
• Kanji breakdown: 真 (shin/ma) — true, real; 似 (ji/ni) — resemble, similar
• Pronunciation: /ma.ne/

Meaning

Mimicry; imitation; copying someone's behaviour or actions.

Functions as both a noun and a suru verb (真似する or 真似をする). Can be positive (learning by imitation) or negative (mocking): 真似が上手 (good at imitating), 人の真似をする (to copy someone), 猿真似 (monkey-see-monkey-do). The phrase 真似事 (manegoto) means a halfhearted attempt at something.

Examples

1. 子供は親の真似をしてよく育つ。 Children grow up well by imitating their parents.
2. 有名な歌手の真似がとても上手だね。 You're really good at imitating that famous singer!
3. そんな危ないことの真似はやめなさい。 Stop imitating such dangerous things.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, entertainment, parenting

Tone: playful

Origin & History

From Old Japanese, closely related to 学ぶ (manabu). Originally 真似ぶ meant to learn by copying. The kanji 真 (true) and 似 (resemble) together mean 'truly resembling.'

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal