赝品

yàn pǐn
counterfeit

这幅画是赝品,不是真迹。

This painting is a counterfeit; it's not the original.


formal

An imitation or copy of something valuable, especially a work of art, designed to deceive people into believing it is the genuine article.

市场上发现了大量赝品,包括名牌包包和手表。

A large number of counterfeit goods, including designer handbags and watches, have been found in the market.

这枚古币虽然看起来很像真品,但专家鉴定后确认是赝品。

Although this ancient coin looks authentic, experts have confirmed it is a counterfeit after appraisal.

Commonly used in contexts involving art, luxury goods, antiques, and collectibles where authenticity is critical.

Collocations

赝品充斥be flooded with counterfeits鉴别赝品identify counterfeits赝品泛滥counterfeits are rampant赝品市场counterfeit market

Related Phrases

以假乱真idiom
mix the fake with the genuine to deceive; pass off fakes as real
鱼目混珠idiom
pass off fish eyes as pearls; deceive by mixing the bad with the good

Pro Tip

Distinguishing '赝品' from '假货'

'赝品' typically refers to counterfeit versions of high-value items like art, antiques, or luxury goods, where the intent is to deceive by mimicking authenticity. '假货' is a broader term for any fake product, including low-cost imitations of everyday items.

Gold Rule

Context Matters

Use '赝品' when discussing counterfeits in contexts like auctions, art galleries, or luxury markets. For everyday counterfeit goods (e.g., fake shoes or bags), '假货' is more commonly used.

Word Origin

The word '赝' (yàn) means 'fake' or 'counterfeit,' and '品' (pǐn) means 'item' or 'product.' The compound '赝品' literally means 'fake item' and has been used in Chinese for centuries to refer to fraudulent imitations of valuable goods.

Usage Notes

In formal contexts, '赝品' is preferred over colloquial terms like '假货' (jiǎhuò) for describing high-value counterfeits, especially in art and luxury markets. It carries a slightly more sophisticated tone than '假货.'

Word Breakdown

赝
fake or counterfeit
root
+
品
item or product
root
汉英词典