Inklingo
← Dictionary

imitar

ee-mee-TAHR/imiˈtaɾ/

“imitar” means “to copy” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to copy, to mimic

Also: to follow an example, to impersonate
VerbA2regular ar
A child in a chef's hat and apron copying the actions of an adult chef by kneading dough on a wooden table.
gerundimitando
past Participleimitado
infinitiveimitar

📝 In Action

El niño imita todo lo que hace su hermano mayor.

A1

The boy copies everything his older brother does.

Ella sabe imitar muy bien el acento de sus amigos.

B1

She knows how to mimic her friends' accents very well.

No intentes imitar a los demás; es mejor ser tú mismo.

B2

Don't try to copy others; it is better to be yourself.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • copiar (to copy)
  • remedar (to mimic (sometimes mockingly))

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • imitar a alguien – to copy someone
  • imitar un estilo – to imitate a style

to resemble, to simulate

Also: to fake
VerbB2regular ar
A close-up of a high-quality ceramic tile that looks exactly like dark oak wood grain.
gerundimitando
past Participleimitado
infinitiveimitar

📝 In Action

Este suelo de vinilo imita la madera perfectamente.

B1

This vinyl floor resembles wood perfectly.

Es una joya barata que imita el oro.

B2

It is a cheap piece of jewelry that simulates gold.

La luz artificial intenta imitar la luz del sol.

C1

The artificial light tries to mimic sunlight.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • simular (to simulate)
  • parecerse (to look like)

Common Collocations

  • imitar la naturaleza – to mimic nature

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesimitaran
yoimitara
túimitaras
vosotrosimitarais
nosotrosimitáramos
él/ella/ustedimitara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesimiten
yoimite
túimites
vosotrosimitéis
nosotrosimitemos
él/ella/ustedimite

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesimitaron
yoimité
túimitaste
vosotrosimitasteis
nosotrosimitamos
él/ella/ustedimitó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesimitaban
yoimitaba
túimitabas
vosotrosimitabais
nosotrosimitábamos
él/ella/ustedimitaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesimitan
yoimito
túimitas
vosotrosimitáis
nosotrosimitamos
él/ella/ustedimita
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "imitar" in Spanish:

to copy→to fake→to impersonate→to mimic→to simulate→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: imitar

Question 1 of 3

How do you say 'I copy my father'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
imitación(imitation) — Noun
imitador(imitator / impersonator) — Noun
imitable(imitable) — Adjective
inimitable(inimitable / unique) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'imitari', which means to copy, portray, or represent something.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: imitateFrench: imiterItalian: imitare

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'imitar' an irregular verb?

No, it is a perfectly regular -ar verb, so it follows all the standard conjugation patterns.

Can 'imitar' mean something negative?

Usually it is neutral. However, if someone is 'imitando' you in a childish way, it can imply mocking, but the word itself doesn't carry a negative weight like 'to counterfeit' always does.

What's the difference between 'imitar' and 'copiar'?

They are very similar. 'Copiar' is more common for written work or cheating, while 'imitar' is more common for voices, behavior, and physical styles.