imitation
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imitation
A product that imitates another, usually more expensive or rarer original product. It can be a fake or a legal reproduction.
Die Jacke ist aus Leder-Imitation, sieht aber täuschend echt aus.
The jacket is made of imitation leather, but it looks deceptively real.
imitation
The act of copying someone's behavior, voice, or style, often in an artistic or parodic way.
Seine Imitation berühmter Politiker brachte das ganze Publikum zum Lachen.
His imitation of famous politicians made the whole audience laugh.
The noun 'Imitation' (imitation) belongs to the verb 'imitieren' (to imitate). The ending '-tion' is typical for feminine nouns derived from verbs and appears in many words of Latin origin.
Er kann die Stimmen von Tieren perfekt imitieren.
He can imitate the voices of animals perfectly.
You can tell from context whether a copied product or an act of imitation is meant. If 'Imitation' (imitation) refers to a material or object, it is about a product. If it refers to a person or their behavior, it is about the act of imitating.
Diese Tasche ist nur eine billige Imitation des Originals.
This bag is only a cheap imitation of the original.
When talking about products, 'Imitation' (imitation) is often combined with materials, usually in a compound. Typical examples are 'Leder-Imitation' (imitation leather), 'Holz-Imitation' (imitation wood), or 'Perlen-Imitation' (imitation pearls).
Der Bodenbelag ist kein echtes Holz, sondern eine hochwertige Imitation.
The flooring is not real wood, but a high-quality imitation.
When describing the imitation of a person or thing, the preposition 'von' (of) is almost always used. People speak of 'der Imitation von jemandem/etwas' (the imitation of someone/something).
Die Parodie war eine gelungene Imitation von bekannten Fernsehsendungen.
The parody was a successful imitation of well-known TV shows.
copy
Kopie usually refers to a reproduction of an original that is as accurate as possible. Imitation tends to mean a copied product that serves as a non-original substitute; it does not have to match the original completely. Use Kopie for a close match and Imitation for an imitated substitute product.
Die Imitation der Designerlampe war ein günstiger Ersatz für das Original.
The imitation designer lamp was an inexpensive substitute for the original.
Die Kopie der Designerlampe war dem Original genau nachempfunden.
The copy of the designer lamp was an exact reproduction of the original.
