How to say "fake" in Japanese

• フェイクCommon
  noun, suru verbCovers 'fake' in the broad modern sense, especially as a loanword in fashion, fur, news, and media contexts. It carries a casual, contemporary feel, as in fake fur or fake news.
• 偽にせCommon
  no-adjectiveThe general-purpose word for something fake or phony that passes as genuine, whether an object, a name, or an identity. Use this when you mean a counterfeit presented as the real thing.
  それは贋にせの真珠しんじゅにすぎない。↗

  It is merely an imitation pearl.
• 贋作がんさくCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbRefers specifically to a fake work, such as a forged painting or a spurious manuscript — a counterfeit piece created to pass as the work of someone else. Not used for fake goods in general.
• 模造もぞうCommon
  suru verb, transitive verb, no-adjectiveLeans toward 'imitation' or 'counterfeit' made in resemblance of something, often as a manufactured copy. It is usually not the word you want for plain 'fake'; it really suggests an imitation product.
• 作り物つくりものCommon
  no-adjectivePrimarily means an artificial or man-made product, an imitation; 'fake' is a secondary sense. Choose it when stressing that something is not natural but made, rather than when emphasizing deception.

For general 'fake' use 「フェイク」 or 偽; for a fake work of art or writing use 贋作; 模造 and 「作り物」 lean toward 'imitation' or 'artificial' rather than outright deception.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• フェイクfake
• 偽にせimitation
• 贋作がんさくfake (work)
• 模造もぞうimitation
• 作り物つくりものartificial product
• いかものfake
• がせfake
• 似たりにたりfake
• 拵え物こしらえものfake
• 食わせ物くわせものfake
• 空事そらごとfake
• まやかしdeception
• イミテーションimitation
• まがい物まがいものimitation
• 偽性ぎせいpseudo
• 模造品もぞうひんimitation
• 偽造品ぎぞうひんcounterfeit goods
• いかさまfraud
• いんちきfake
• なんちゃってersatz
• 空そらfake