フェイク

ふぇいく
noun
fake, counterfeit
1. fake, counterfeit, imitation
Something that is not genuine; a forgery or imitation. Used for fake products, false information, and deceptive actions.
フェイクニュースに()をつけて。
Be careful of fake news.
フェイクレザーの財布(さいふ)()った。
I bought a faux leather wallet.
SNSでフェイクの情報(じょうほう)拡散(かくさん)して問題(もんだい)になっている。
Fake information spreading on social media has become a problem.

USAGE:
フェイク has become very common in recent years, especially with フェイクニュース (fake news). It can be used as a modifier before other nouns. In fashion, it is used neutrally (フェイクファー, フェイクレザー) to describe imitation materials that are not deceptive.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • フェイクニュース: fake news
  • フェイクファー: faux fur
  • フェイクレザー: faux leather
  • フェイク動画(どうが): deepfake video
  • フェイクを見抜(みぬ)く: to spot a fake

SIMILAR WORDS:
偽物(にせもの) (counterfeit/fake) is the native Japanese equivalent and emphasizes deception. フェイク is broader and can be used neutrally (faux fur is not deceptive).