Japanese word

偽

Pronunciation

Romajinise

Meaning

  • nounfake

Example

偽の薬を買わないでください。nise no kusuri o ka wa na i de ku da sa i

Please do not buy fake medicine.

Illustration for 偽 (fake)

More examples

その書類には偽の署名がありました。so no sho rui ni wa nise no sho mei ga a ri ma shi ta

There was a fake signature on the document.

Core concept

It refers to something that imitates the appearance or status of a real thing without being the real thing.

Common phrases

  • 偽の薬nise no kusuri

    fake medicine

  • 偽の身分証nise no mi bun shō

    fake ID

Similar words

偽物nisemono: A thing made or presented to resemble a genuine one.
偽造品gizōhin: An item illegally made to copy a genuine product, document, or signature.
贋物nisemono: A counterfeit object made to pass as an authentic or valuable one.

Definition in Japanese

本物に似せたり、本物だと装ったりしたもの。hon mono ni ni se ta ri hon mono da to yosō tta ri shi ta mo no

Word origin

偽 (nise) comes from the native verb 似せる (niseru, "to imitate"), while the written kanji carries the meaning "false".

Usage tips

  • The meaning of 偽 (nise) can cover both a counterfeit object and a deceptive claim, so it is not limited to imitation goods.

Other meanings

  • imitationnoun
  • shamnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 偽るitsuwarudeceiveverb
  • 偽りitsuwarifalsehoodnoun
  • 偽者nisemonoimpostornoun

Word lists with this word