imitovat

Imitovat is a Czech verb meaning to imitate, copy, or reproduce the appearance, behavior, sound, or manner of a person or thing. It can refer to natural imitation, such as an animal mimicking another, or to deliberate copying for artistic, educational, or humorous purposes. The term can also denote impersonation, when someone mimics another person's identity.

Etymology: The word comes from Latin imitari (to copy) and entered Czech through contact with Latin and Germanic languages, with usage attested from the early modern period. Related nouns include imitace (an imitation or copy) and imitátor (an imitator).

Usage: Imitovat is a transitive verb and generally requires an object in the accusative: imituje něčí hlas, napodobuje styl, imituje chování. In everyday language it is often close in meaning to napodobovat, though imitovat can carry a stronger sense of intentional resemblance or impersonation, and may be used in contexts of parody or theatrical imitation. The choice of synonym can affect nuance, with napodobovat serving as a more neutral term and imitovat signaling a deliberate or styled imitation.

Forms and related terms: As with many Czech verbs, imitovat forms adapt to tense and mood. Related adjective is imitační, meaning related to imitation, and related nouns include imitace (an imitation) and imitátor (an imitator). These terms are used across contexts from performance and advertising to linguistics and daily speech.