How to say "hoax" in Japanese

• 捏造ねつぞうCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbFor a hoax meaning something fabricated: an invented story or evidence passed off as true. A common word, and the natural choice when a reported claim or incident turns out to be made up.
• いかさま
  no-adjective, na-adjectiveCovers hoax as trickery or cheating: a deceptive trick or fraud worked on people rather than a fabricated story. Usually written in kana alone.
  何回なんかいもいかさまにだまされましたよ。↗

  I got sucked in on a lot of phony deals.
• でっち上げでっちあげ
  nounA made-up story, something concocted or trumped up; suits a hoax that is essentially a fabricated tale, often a false accusation. A less common word than 捏造.
  彼かれの話はなしはでっち上あげだ。↗

  His story was made up.
• 欺詐ぎさ
  nounRefers to deception or dupery in the abstract, not to a particular hoax, so it is seldom the word you want for an actual hoax; 捏造 or でっち上げ fit better. A less common word.

Choose 捏造 for a hoax that is a fabricated story or invented facts, 「でっち上げ」 for a concocted, trumped-up tale, 「いかさま」 when the sense is trickery or cheating, and 欺詐 almost never, since it denotes deception in the abstract.

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

• 捏造ねつぞうfabrication
• いかさまfraud
• でっち上げでっちあげfabrication
• 欺詐ぎさfraud