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verb

imitare

to imitate

Definition & meaning

Imitare means to imitate: to copy someone’s actions, behavior, appearance, or manner of speaking. It can also mean to reproduce a style or model.

  • Imita la voce del suo insegnante. — He imitates his teacher’s voice.
  • Il tessuto imita la seta. — The fabric imitates silk.

Grammar & Word origin

Imitare is a regular -are verb and usually takes a direct object. Its past participle is imitato. It comes from Latin imitari, meaning “to copy” or “to emulate.”

Synonyms & antonyms

  • copiare — “to copy”; often implies reproducing something closely, rather than imitating a person’s behavior or style.
  • emulare — “to emulate”; suggests trying to match or surpass someone admired.
  • scimmiottare — “to ape” or “mimic”; usually suggests imitation in a mocking or unoriginal way.

There is no direct antonym, but distinguersi means “to distinguish oneself,” emphasizing individuality rather than imitation.

Common phrases & collocations

  • imitare qualcuno — to imitate someone
  • imitare la voce — to imitate a voice
  • imitare lo stile — to imitate a style

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Examples

Il bambino vuole imitare la maestra.verb

The child wants to imitate the teacher.

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