How to say "counterfeit" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 偽物にせものnounThe everyday noun for a counterfeit article — a watch or designer bag that is not genuine. For 'counterfeit' as a noun meaning a fake thing, this is usually the word you want.
- 似せるにせるichidan verb, transitive verbA verb: to make one thing resemble another, to imitate. When you need 'counterfeit' as a verb, this is the match, though its basic meaning is simply copying or imitating, not necessarily fraud.
- 模造もぞうsuru verb, transitive verb, no-adjectiveA noun for an imitation — something made in resemblance of a genuine article. It leans toward the 'imitation' side of 'counterfeit', suiting manufactured imitations more than talk of fraud or forgery.
- 贋作がんさくnoun, suru verb, transitive verbA counterfeit in the sense of a fake work: a forged painting, book, or similar creation passed off as genuine. For counterfeit goods or money, this is not the usual word.
- 偽にせno-adjectiveThe compact form for 'fake' or 'phony', working much like a prefix that marks something as counterfeit; 偽物 is the full noun for a fake article, 偽 the shorter element.
Use 偽物 for a counterfeit article and 偽 as its compact prefix-like form, 「似せる」 when you need the verb 'to counterfeit', 模造 for manufactured imitations, and 贋作 for forged works such as paintings.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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