Meaning and Usage
The verb 倣う (ならう) means "to imitate," "to follow," or "to emulate." It is often used when someone copies or models their behavior, methods, or style after another person or example. This word carries a nuance of learning or adopting something proven or admired.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see 倣う used in contexts related to learning skills, adopting successful methods, or following established examples. For instance, artists may 倣う the techniques of masters, or businesses may 倣う foreign models to innovate.
Collocations and Patterns
- 倣う＋技法／やり方／モデル: to imitate techniques, methods, or models
- 成功者を倣う: to emulate successful people
- 〜を倣って: following or imitating something
Register and Nuance
倣う is a somewhat formal verb and is common in written and spoken Japanese when discussing learning or adopting methods. It is more formal than simply saying 真似る (まねる), which also means "to imitate" but can sound more casual or even negative.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 倣う with 真似る. 倣う implies a positive, respectful imitation or following of a model, often for improvement, while 真似る can sometimes imply mere copying without understanding or even mocking. Use 倣う when you want to express respectful emulation.