1.
mimicry, impersonation, imitation
The act of imitating someone's voice, mannerisms, or appearance for entertainment. A popular form of comedy in Japan, where professional impersonators mimic celebrities on television shows.
彼の物まねは上手だ。
His impersonations are good.
忘年会で社長の物まねをして笑われた。
I did an impersonation of the company president at the year-end party and got laughs.
テレビの物まね番組で有名になった芸人も多い。
Many comedians became famous through impersonation shows on TV.
USAGE:
Can also be written as 物真似 in kanji. Used as a noun or with する as a verb: 物まねをする (to do an impersonation). The person who performs impersonations is called a 物まね芸人 or ものまねタレント.
CULTURAL NOTE:
Impersonation comedy is a major genre in Japanese entertainment. TV shows dedicated to 物まね are popular, and annual 物まね contests draw large audiences.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 物まねをする: to do an impersonation
- 物まね芸人: impersonation comedian
- 物まね番組: impersonation show
- 物まねが上手: good at impersonations