imitare
/i.miˈta.re/
To mimic in Italian is imitare.
The verb imitare means to imitate. While the English word 'mimic' often implies that someone is imitating another person to ridicule them, the Italian imitare is more neutral and can be used for both respectful imitation and mockery.
Meaning: to imitate, especially in order to ridicule (verb)
Which one should you use?
The term imitare is more neutral than the English 'mimic'. In English, 'mimic' frequently suggests a mocking intent, but imitare can be used for both genuine imitation and for the purpose of ridicule.
How does it change in a sentence?
The infinitive form is imitare. The first-person singular present indicative is imito (I imitate), and the past participle is imitato (imitated).
How do you pronounce it?
/i.miˈta.re/. The word has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- While imitare is neutral, Italians use the phrase fare la scimmia meaning 'to do the monkey' when someone is mimicking another person specifically to be annoying or childish.
- In Italian, a professional mimic or impressionist is called an imitatore, but the art of mimicry is often linked to the Commedia dell'arte tradition of physical caricature.
- While 'imitare' is neutral, if you want to specifically imply someone is mocking someone else, Italians might use the verb prendere in giro, which literally means 'to take in a circle'.
Examples in context
- Un pappagallo può imitare la voce di una persona.A parrot can mimic a person's voice.This sentence shows how a parrot can use the verb imitare to describe a person's voice.Tatoeba #1922946 by Guybrush88, translation #65170 by Dejo
- Irene Pepperberg, una ricercatrice presso la Northwestern University, sta scoprendo che un pappagallo può non solo imitare le persone, ma anche imparare il significato delle parole.Irene Pepperberg, a researcher at Northwestern University, is discovering that a parrot can not only mimic people but also learn the meaning of words.This sentence uses imitare to describe how a parrot can mimic people and learn word meanings.Tatoeba #3582008 by Guybrush88, translation #35781 by CM
- Non cercare di imitare il suo accento. Sii soltanto te stesso.Don't try to mimic his accent, just be yourself.
- Lui sa riprodurre perfettamente i passi di danza di celebrità famose.He can mimic the dance moves of famous celebrities perfectly.
- Il giovane pianista si propone di emulare lo stile dei musicisti classici.The young pianist aims to mimic the style of classical musicians.
- Smettila di prendermi in giro imitando ogni mio gesto!Stop mocking me by mimicking my every move!
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara and Francesco are arguing about a joke.
- ChiaraPerché continui a imitare i miei gesti?Why do you keep mimicking my gestures?
- FrancescoLo faccio perché è divertente, Chiara!I'm doing it because it's funny, Chiara!
- ChiaraNon è divertente, è solo irritante.It's not funny, it's just irritating.
- FrancescoVa bene, non voglio più imitare te.Alright, I don't want to mimic you anymore.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry imitare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
