efterlikna

Ef­terlik­na is a Swedish verb meaning to imitate, copy, or emulate someone or something. It covers both reproducing appearance and mimicking behavior, as well as more abstract forms such as adopting a style or method. The basic sense is to resemble or reproduce a model after it.

Etymology and usage notes: the verb is formed as a compound of the preposition efter (after) and likna (to resemble). It is commonly used in transitive constructions, with a direct object indicating what is imitated. In everyday language it can refer to people, fictional roles, products, or artistic styles. Figurative uses include imitating a trend or copying a design.

Grammatical information: efterlikna is a regular -a verb. Present tense: jag efterliknar, du efterliknar, han/hon efterliknar, vi efterliknar, ni efterliknar, de efterliknar. Past tense: jag efterliknade, du efterliknade, han/hon efterliknade, vi efterliknade, ni efterliknade, de efterliknade. Supine: efterliknat. Perfekt bildas with haber eller har efterliknat, e.g., "Hon har efterliknat sin idol."

Examples: "Hon efterliknar sin favoritartist i takt." "Filmen efterligner historiska händelser" (in Swedish, often phrased as filmen efterliknar historiska händelser). "Företaget försöker efterlikna en framgångsrik design." These sentences illustrate literal imitation and figurative emulation.

Se also: imitera, kopiera, efterbilda, likna.