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猿真似

Monkey See Monkey Do


Meaning

Monkey See Monkey Do, Mindless Imitation

Word Type

noun, expression

Explanation

If 真似 is imitation and if a monkey is doing said imitation, that's summed up by the saying: monkey see monkey do. This refers to when someone does a mindless imitation of others without any real thought, so is often used when criticizing people.


Reading

さるまね

Explanation

The readings are 猿 plus 真似 put together.


Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 猿真似でしかない

    to be nothing but a mindless imitation

  • 猿真似になる

    to become a mindless imitation

    猿真似にすぎない

    to not be more than a mindless imitation

  • 猿真似をやる

    to do a mindless imitation

    猿真似をする

    to do a mindless imitation

  • 人の猿真似

    mindlessly imitating someone

    欧米の猿真似

    mindlessly imitating Europe and America

    西洋の猿真似

    mindlessly imitating the West

Context Sentences

猿真似をするのはよせ。みっともない。

Stop just mindlessly doing whatever others do. It's pathetic.


Kanji Composition