====== wèizào: 伪造 - To Forge, Counterfeit, Fabricate ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** weizao, wèizào, 伪造, forge, counterfeit, fabricate, falsify, fake documents in Chinese, counterfeit money Chinese, what is weizao, Chinese word for forgery.
  * **Summary:** Learn the Chinese verb **伪造 (wèizào)**, meaning "to forge" or "counterfeit." This HSK 6 term is used in serious, often legal, contexts for creating fake documents, money, data, or signatures with the intent to deceive. It's a critical word for understanding news reports, legal discussions, and the consequences of fraud in China. This guide breaks down its meaning, cultural significance, and practical usage with clear examples.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** wěi zào
  * **Part of Speech:** Verb
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 6
  * **Concise Definition:** To forge, counterfeit, or fabricate something with the intent to deceive.
  * **In a Nutshell:** **伪造 (wèizào)** is not your everyday "faking." You don't "wèizào a smile." This is a strong, formal, and serious word reserved for criminal or highly unethical acts. Think of making a fake passport, printing counterfeit money, or falsifying a signature on a legal contract. It always carries a heavy, negative connotation of illegality and deliberate deception.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **伪 (wěi):** This character is composed of 人 (rén) meaning "person" and 为 (wéi) meaning "to do" or "to act." Together, they suggest a person's action that is "false," "fake," or not genuine. It points to a deliberate human act of fakeness.
  * **造 (zào):** This character means "to make," "to create," or "to build." It's the same character found in 制造 (zhìzào), meaning "to manufacture." It implies a process of construction.
When combined, **伪造 (wèizào)** literally means "to fake-make" or "to falsely create," which perfectly captures the English concept of "to forge" or "to counterfeit."
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
In Chinese culture, with its long history of imperial bureaucracy, the authenticity of official seals, documents, and currency has always been paramount. **伪造 (wèizào)**, therefore, represents a serious transgression against order and authority.
A key cultural comparison is between **伪造 (wèizào)** and the English word "fake." While an American might "fake an injury" or buy "fake leather," the word can be relatively light. **伪造** is **never** light. It implies a level of criminality and seriousness that "fake" does not always carry.
For example, the widespread phenomenon of knock-off goods in China is often described colloquially with the term [[山寨]] (shānzhài). While a counterfeit Louis Vuitton bag is technically a **伪造品 (wěizàopǐn)** (counterfeit product), people are more likely to call it **山寨 (shānzhài)** in casual conversation. **伪造** is the word you'd see in the police report about the factory that produced them. This distinction between the formal, legal term and the colloquial, cultural term is crucial.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**伪造 (wèizào)** is primarily used in formal contexts. You will encounter it most often in:
  *   **News and Legal Reports:** Discussing crimes like forgery, counterfeiting, and fraud.
  *   **Business and Finance:** Referring to the falsification of financial statements, contracts, or credentials.
  *   **Technology:** Describing the creation of fake digital certificates, fabricated data, or "deepfakes" (a more specific term is 深度伪造 - shēndù wěizào).
Its connotation is universally negative and serious. It is not used in casual or informal conversation unless discussing a serious crime.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
  * 他因**伪造**公司文件而被解雇了。
  * Pinyin: Tā yīn **wěizào** gōngsī wénjiàn ér bèi jiěgù le.
  * English: He was fired for forging company documents.
  * Analysis: This is a classic example of using **伪造** in a formal, business context regarding a serious offense.
  * **Example 2:**
  * 警方破获了一个**伪造**货币的犯罪团伙。
  * Pinyin: Jǐngfāng pòhuò le yí ge **wěizào** huòbì de fànzuì tuánhuǒ.
  * English: The police busted a criminal gang that was counterfeiting currency.
  * Analysis: Here, **伪造** is used for its most common meaning: counterfeiting money. This is language you'd see in a news report.
  * **Example 3:**
  * 在法庭上，**伪造**证据是重罪。
  * Pinyin: Zài fǎtíng shàng, **wěizào** zhèngjù shì zhòngzuì.
  * English: In a court of law, falsifying evidence is a serious crime.
  * Analysis: This shows the legal gravity associated with the term.
  * **Example 4:**
  * 他的博士文凭是**伪造**的。
  * Pinyin: Tā de bóshì wénpíng shì **wěizào** de.
  * English: His doctoral diploma is forged.
  * Analysis: The structure "是...的" indicates that the diploma has the quality of being "forged."
  * **Example 5:**
  * 你不能为了请病假而**伪造**医生证明。
  * Pinyin: Nǐ bùnéng wèile qǐng bìngjià ér **wěizào** yīshēng zhèngmíng.
  * English: You can't forge a doctor's note in order to take sick leave.
  * Analysis: A practical, real-world example of a less severe, but still serious, act of forgery.
  * **Example 6:**
  * 那个艺术家太出名了，所以市场上有很多**伪造**的他的作品。
  * Pinyin: Nàge yìshùjiā tài chūmíng le, suǒyǐ shìchǎng shàng yǒu hěn duō **wěizào** de tā de zuòpǐn.
  * English: That artist is so famous that there are many forged copies of his work on the market.
  * Analysis: This example shows **伪造** being used to describe counterfeit art.
  * **Example 7:**
  * 这家公司通过**伪造**账目来逃税。
  * Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī tōngguò **wěizào** zhàngmù lái táoshuì.
  * English: This company evades taxes by falsifying its account books.
  * Analysis: A common white-collar crime context for the term.
  * **Example 8:**
  * 他试图用一本**伪造**的护照通过海关。
  * Pinyin: Tā shìtú yòng yī běn **wěizào** de hùzhào tōngguò hǎiguān.
  * English: He attempted to pass through customs using a forged passport.
  * Analysis: Demonstrates the use of **伪造** for official identity documents.
  * **Example 9:**
  * 选举舞弊指控包括**伪造**选票。
  * Pinyin: Xuǎnjǔ wǔbì zhǐkòng bāokuò **wěizào** xuǎnpiào.
  * English: The election fraud allegations include the forging of ballots.
  * Analysis: Shows the term's use in a political context.
  * **Example 10:**
  * 这封邮件看起来像是银行发的，但实际上是**伪造**的。
  * Pinyin: Zhè fēng yóujiàn kànqǐlái xiàngshì yínháng fā de, dàn shíjìshang shì **wěizào** de.
  * English: This email looks like it's from the bank, but it's actually forged (a phishing email).
  * Analysis: A modern, digital context for **伪造**, referring to faking digital communication.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  *   **"Forge" vs. "Fake":** This is the most common pitfall for learners. **伪造 (wèizào)** means "to forge" in a criminal sense. It is NOT used for "faking" an emotion or state.
    *   **Incorrect:** 我**伪造**了我的笑容。(Wǒ **wěizào** le wǒ de xiàoróng.)
    *   **Correct:** 我**假装**在笑。(Wǒ **jiǎzhuāng** zài xiào.) - "I pretended to be smiling." Use [[假装]] (jiǎzhuāng) for pretending.
  *   **伪造 (wèizào) vs. 捏造 (niēzào):** Both can be translated as "fabricate," but their usage differs.
    *   **伪造 (wèizào)** is used for tangible or verifiable things: documents, money, data, art.
    *   **[[捏造]] (niēzào)** is used for intangible things: stories, rumors, excuses, accusations. //"He fabricated a story"// would use **捏造**, not **伪造**.
  *   **伪造 (wèizào) vs. 模仿 (mófǎng):**
    *   **伪造 (wèizào)** implies illegal deception.
    *   **[[模仿]] (mófǎng)** means "to imitate" or "to emulate," and can be neutral or positive. A student might **模仿** a master's calligraphy to learn. An artist who **伪造** a master's work is trying to sell it as the real thing.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  *   [[造假]] (zàojiǎ) - Lit. "to make fake." A very common, slightly less formal synonym for **伪造**.
  *   [[假冒]] (jiǎmào) - To pass something fake off as genuine. Often used specifically for counterfeit brands and products.
  *   [[山寨]] (shānzhài) - A colloquial, cultural term for "knock-off" products. Less of a legal term and more of a social phenomenon.
  *   [[捏造]] (niēzào) - To fabricate or concoct, but used for stories, rumors, or lies, not physical objects.
  *   [[欺骗]] (qīpiàn) - A broad term for "to deceive" or "to cheat." **伪造** is a specific method of **欺骗**.
  *   [[模仿]] (mófǎng) - To imitate or emulate. The key difference is the lack of intent to deceive for personal gain.
  *   [[赝品]] (yànpǐn) - (Noun) A counterfeit, forgery, or fake, especially in the context of art or antiques.
  *   [[伪君子]] (wěijūnzǐ) - A hypocrite (lit. "fake gentleman"). Shows the character **伪** used to mean "false" in a moral sense.
  *   [[虚假]] (xūjiǎ) - (Adjective) False, fake, sham. Used to describe information, promises, or advertising. (e.g., 虚假信息 - false information).