Meaning

Primary

Monkey See Monkey Do

Alternative

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
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

The readings are plus 真似 put together.

Context

Common Word Combinations

  • 猿真似でしかない

    to be nothing but a mindless imitation

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