meniru

Meniru is a Indonesian verb meaning to imitate, copy, or mimic something or someone. It can refer to copying behavior, styles, ideas, or physical actions. The term is widely used in everyday language as well as in education, arts, and media.

Etymology and usage notes: the word comes from the root tiru, with the prefix me- forming the active verb meniru. It is transitive, typically followed by the object being imitated, such as meniru gaya, meniru jawapan, or meniru karya orang lain. The act can be described in the past, present, or future tenses with appropriate markers (e.g., telah meniru, sedang meniru).

Contexts and meanings: in daily life, people may meniru someone's behavior or fashion as a form of admiration or learning. in education, meniru jawapan or meniru hasil kerja dapat menimbulkan masalah etika and academic integrity. In the arts, artists sometimes study or imitate a master’s style as part of training, while still aiming to develop original work. In business or design, firms may meniru models that prove successful, though intellectual property and ethical considerations apply when copying brand, content, or patented ideas.

Ethics and law: copying someone else’s work without permission or proper attribution can involve plagiarism or copyright infringement, depending on jurisdiction and context. Many institutions emphasize originality and discourage uncredited copying, while allowing referenced or inspired work if properly cited. The nuance between legitimate learning through imitation and unethical plagiarism is a common topic in educational and professional settings.

See also: tiru (root), plagiarisme, hak cipta, inspirasi.