Translation guide
Products made to imitate genuine items, often to deceive buyers. In Japanese, the most common term is 偽物 (にせもの), but specific words exist for branded fakes, pirated media, and counterfeit money.
Referring to any item that is not genuine, often used in everyday conversation.
The most common and versatile word for fake or counterfeit goods. Can be used for anything from fake designer bags to counterfeit money.
This bag is a fake.
I was tricked into buying a counterfeit.
More formal term for forged or counterfeited goods, often used in legal or official contexts.
Selling counterfeit goods is prohibited by law.
Imitation goods, not necessarily illegal if not passed off as genuine. Often used for replicas or look-alikes.
This watch is an imitation, but it looks just like the real thing.
Specifically referring to knock-off designer goods like bags, watches, or clothing.
Commonly used for counterfeit branded goods, especially in consumer contexts. Often implies a direct copy of a famous brand.
A lot of counterfeit goods are sold at that market.
Slang term for knock-offs or cheap imitations, often used casually among friends.
Explicitly means 'fake brand goods'. Used in news or formal warnings.
Fake brand goods were seized at customs.
Counterfeit copies of copyrighted digital or physical media.
Fake currency, coins, or bills.
偽物 (にせもの) is the broadest term for anything fake. 模造品 (もぞうひん) implies a legal imitation or replica, often used for museum replicas or training models. コピー商品 (コピーしょうひん) strongly suggests an illegal copy of a branded product.
The English phrase 'counterfeit goods' is often translated directly as 偽造品 (ぎぞうひん), but in casual speech, 偽物 (にせもの) or コピー商品 (コピーしょうひん) are much more natural. Using 偽造品 in everyday conversation can sound overly formal or legalistic.
Isn't that a knock-off?
Using pirated software is illegal.
Making counterfeit money is a serious crime.