Translation guide
The English word 'sham' refers to something false, fake, or pretended. This guide covers how to express these ideas naturally in Japanese, from describing counterfeit objects to calling out insincere behavior.
Describing something that is not genuine, such as a product, document, or artwork.
The most common word for a fake or counterfeit item. Can be used for goods, art, documents, etc.
This bag is a fake.
Be careful of counterfeit brand-name goods.
A prefix meaning 'fake' or 'false'. Often used in compounds like 偽ブランド (fake brand) or 偽造 (forgery).
That's a fake ID.
Refers to something fraudulent or rigged, like a scam or a fixed game. Often used for schemes rather than physical objects.
It was a rigged card game.
Describing an action or feeling that is not sincere, such as pretending to be happy or feigning ignorance.
A noun meaning 'pretense' or 'façade'. Often used with の to modify nouns, or as 見せかける (to pretend).
His kindness was a sham.
A verb phrase meaning 'to pretend'. Attach to a noun or verb plain form. Very common and natural.
He pretended to be asleep.
Means 'hypocrisy'. Used when someone pretends to have higher moral standards than they actually do.
A formal word for 'falsehood' or 'fabrication', often used in legal or official contexts.
Referring to a scheme or trick designed to deceive, such as a scam or a rigged competition.
The standard word for 'fraud' or 'scam'. Covers financial scams, confidence tricks, etc.
It was a sham (a scam).
Don't fall for the scam.
A colloquial term for a swindle or con. Slightly old-fashioned but still understood.
Literally a 'farce', used metaphorically for a sham or mockery, like a rigged trial or a fake ceremony.
Using 'sham' directly before a noun, like 'sham marriage' or 'sham election'.
偽物 (にせもの) is for tangible fakes (objects). 見せかけ (みせかけ) is for intangible pretense (actions, attitudes). Use 偽物 for a counterfeit watch, and 見せかけ for a fake smile.
This watch is a fake.
His smile is a sham.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all uses of 'sham'. Always choose based on whether you mean a fake object, a pretense, or a fraud. Using 偽物 for a fake smile would be unnatural.
I put on a fake smile.
知らないふりをしないで。
Don't pretend you don't know.
His behavior is a sham (hypocritical).
Making a false declaration is a crime.
That story is a sham (a con).
The trial was a sham.
Natural for 'fake smile'