まねしないで
mane shinaide
The English phrase "stop copying me" can be said in Japanese as まねしないで (mane shinaide).
This phrase is used as a request or a command to tell someone to stop imitating your actions or words. The default form まねしないで is most commonly used between peers, friends or by an adult to a child.
What does it mean word for word?
The word まね means imitation or mimicry.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more blunt, masculine and rough way to say 'stop copying me', often used in heated arguments or by children, you might hear まねすんな. If you wish to be polite and use the phrase with adults or in formal settings, you should use まねしないでください.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding ください to the end of まねしないで makes the request polite: まねしないでください.
How do you pronounce it?
mane shinaide
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, imitating someone's behavior can sometimes be a way of showing respect or learning, making the command まねしないで much more jarring than it would be in English.
- Japanese has a distinct word オマージュ (hommage) for 'copying' when it is intended as a respectful tribute to an artist or creator.
- In Japanese pop culture, especially in anime, characters often repeat the same phrase back to someone while adding 〜とか言って to mock the original speaker's mannerisms.
Examples in context
- 私の言葉をまねしないで。Watashi no kotoba o mane shinaide.Stop copying my words.
- そんなにまねしないでよ。Sonna ni mane shinaide yo.Don't copy me like that.
- まねしないでって言ったでしょ。Mane shinaide tte itta desho.I told you to stop copying me.
Example conversation
Two friends are hanging out and one is mimicking the other's gestures.
- 蓮 Ren蓮、まねしないでよ。Ren, mane shinaide yo.Ren, stop copying me.
- 美咲 Misakiだって、美咲がおもしろいんだもん。datte, Misaki ga omoshiroi nda mon.But Misaki, you're just so funny.
- 蓮 Ren全然おもしろくないよ。zenzen omoshirokunai yo.It's not funny at all.
- 美咲 Misakiわかったよ。もうやめるね。wakatta yo. mō yameru ne.I get it. I'll stop now.
