noun
mountain stronghold; bandit den
Refers to a fortified place in the mountains, often associated with bandits or rebels. Sense 2 is a specific use for a bandit hideout.
その山塞は険しい崖の上に築かれていた。
The mountain stronghold was built on a steep cliff.
時代劇では、山塞にこもる盗賊がよく登場する。
In period dramas, bandits holed up in a mountain den often appear.
noun-modifying (irregular), noun
knock-off; counterfeit; shanzhai
Only when written 山寨
Internet slang, originally from Chinese 山寨 (shānzhài). Refers to cheap imitation goods, especially electronics. Often used attributively.
あのサイトで売っているスマホは山寨品が多いらしい。
I hear many of the smartphones sold on that site are knock-offs.
山寨メーカーが作っ
Tablets made by shanzhai manufacturers are cheap but have inconsistent quality.
The kanji 山 (mountain) + 塞 (fortress) or 砦 (fort) literally mean 'mountain fort'. The slang sense comes from Chinese 山寨 (shānzhài), originally meaning 'mountain village' or 'bandit stronghold', which later took on the meaning of 'counterfeit' or 'knock-off' in modern Chinese internet culture.