Translation guide
The English word "fake" can describe something counterfeit, an imitation, a deceptive act, or a person who is not genuine. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each of these meanings.
Describing something that is made to look like the real thing in order to deceive, such as money, documents, or branded goods.
The most common and general word for a fake or counterfeit item. Can be used for money, branded goods, art, etc.
This bag is a fake.
Please be careful of counterfeit bills.
Specifically refers to forged or counterfeited goods, often used in legal or formal contexts.
Selling counterfeit goods is prohibited by law.
Commonly used for knock-off or replica products, especially in fashion and electronics. Less formal than 偽造品.
That store only sells knock-off goods.
Describing something that is not real but is made to look or function like the real thing, often without intent to deceive (e.g., fake fur, fake flowers).
Can also be used for imitations, but may imply deception. Use with care.
These flowers are fake, but they're very pretty.
Refers to replicas or imitation goods, often used for items like model guns or artificial plants. Neutral tone.
Loanword from English, often used in fashion (e.g., fake fur, fake leather) or news (fake news).
Describing an action or situation that is not genuine, such as faking an illness, a smile, or a sports move.
Attributive form meaning 'fake' or 'false', used with nouns like 'illness', 'name', 'report'.
He took a day off work with a fake illness.
Means 'lie' or 'falsehood'. Often used in phrases like 嘘の情報 (fake information) or 嘘をつく (to tell a lie).
Also used for deceptive acts, especially in sports (feint) or media (fake news).
Verb phrase meaning 'to pretend' or 'to fake'. Attach to noun + の or verb plain form.
She pretended to be asleep.
Describing a person who is not authentic, or an emotion that is forced or pretended.
Means 'false' or 'deceitful', often used with emotions like smile, love, or tears. More literary than 偽の.
She gave a fake smile.
Means 'pretended' or 'sham', emphasizing outward appearance that hides the truth.
His kindness was fake.
Specifically means 'hypocrite', a person who pretends to have virtues or beliefs they do not possess.
偽物 (にせもの) is the most general term for a fake or counterfeit item. 偽造品 (ぎぞうひん) is more formal and often used in legal contexts for forged documents or currency. コピー商品 (コピーしょうひん) is a casual term for knock-off products, especially in fashion.
English uses 'fake' as an adjective directly (fake news, fake smile). In Japanese, you often need to use a noun form like 偽の (にせの) or 偽りの (いつわりの) before the noun, or use a verb phrase like ふりをする (to pretend). Simply saying フェイクニュース is acceptable in casual contexts, but 偽のニュース is more standard.
この模造品の刀は観賞用です。
This imitation sword is for display only.
This coat uses fake fur.
That's fake news.
He faked out the opponent in soccer.
彼は病気のふりをして学校を休んだ。
He faked being sick and skipped school.
彼は環境問題を語るが、実際は偽善者だ。
He talks about environmental issues, but he's actually a fake (hypocrite).