Korean Dictionary
How to say "Fake / Counterfeit" in Korean
“Fake / Counterfeit” in Korean is 가짜 (pronounced "Gajja").
가짜
Gajja
Usage & Context
An imitation or counterfeit product. 진짜 (real/genuine) is the opposite. 정품 (jeongpum, authentic product) is used for genuine branded goods. Korea has strong counterfeit laws — selling fake goods is illegal. When shopping for luxury items, asking 정품이에요? (Is this authentic?) is important.
Example Sentence
이거 정품이에요? 가짜 아니죠?
Is this authentic? It's not fake, right?
How to use 가짜 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Fake / Counterfeit” is 가짜, romanized as Gajja.
Usage tip
Shopping Korean usually sounds more natural when you use short polite questions instead of translating English directly.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 가짜.
Pronunciation Guide
가 (ga) sounds like 'ga' in 'gap'. 짜 (jja) is a tense sound, similar to 'ja' in 'jam' but with more tension in the tongue and throat, almost like 'ch-ja'.
More Example Sentences
Identifying a counterfeit item.
이 시계는 진짜가 아니라 가짜예요.
This watch isn't real, it's fake.
Warning someone about misinformation.
가짜 뉴스에 속지 마세요.
Don't fall for fake news.
Describing an insincere expression.
그는 가짜 웃음을 지었어요.
He gave a fake smile.
Cultural Context
In Korea, '가짜' is often contrasted with '진짜' (real/genuine) or '정품' (authentic product). While the market for luxury goods is significant, so is the concern for counterfeits. Korea has strict laws against selling fake goods, and consumers are often vigilant. When buying high-end items, it's common to ask '정품이에요?' (Is this authentic?) to ensure legitimacy.
Editorial note
We review entries like 가짜 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
가짜다
It's fake
가짜 뉴스
Fake news
가짜 명품
Fake luxury goods
Related Expressions
진짜
jinjja
Real, genuine (antonym)
정품
jeongpum
Authentic product (antonym)
모조품
mojopum
Imitation product
위조
wijo
Forgery, counterfeit (more formal/legal)
More Shopping Words
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