Meaning
模仿 means to copy or imitate someone's behavior, actions, speech, or style. It can refer to both intentional mimicry (like learning by copying a teacher) and playful imitation (like mimicking someone's accent). The word carries a neutral to slightly negative connotation when referring to copying without originality, but is positive when used in learning contexts.
Usage
Native speakers commonly use 模仿 when discussing learning methods (students imitating teachers), artistic reproduction, children copying adults, or when criticizing lack of originality in creative work. It's often paired with objects like 动作 (movements), 声音 (voice/sound), or 风格 (style). In business contexts, it can imply copying competitors' strategies.
Examples
- 01小孩子喜欢模仿大人的动作和说话方式。.Children like to imitate adults' movements and ways of speaking.
- 02学习外语时，模仿母语者的发音非常重要。, .When learning a foreign language, imitating native speakers' pronunciation is very important.
Characters
Common collocations
- 模仿秀imitation show, impersonation performance
- 模仿能力ability to imitate
- 盲目模仿to blindly imitate
- 模仿别人to imitate others
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters relate to copying: 模 originally meant a mold or pattern for casting, while 仿 (with the person radical 亻) means to follow someone's example. Together they emphasize replicating a model or pattern.