Translation guide
The term 'fake news' refers to false or misleading information presented as news. In Japanese, there is no single direct equivalent, but several expressions convey similar meanings depending on context: fabricated stories, misinformation, disinformation, or hoaxes. The most common and versatile term is フェイクニュース (a loanword from English), but native Japanese words like 虚偽報道 (false reporting) or 偽ニュース (fake news) are also used. This guide covers how to express the concept naturally in Japanese.
To refer to false or misleading information presented as news, especially in media or online.
A direct loanword from English, widely understood in Japanese media and everyday conversation. It is the most common way to say 'fake news'.
あの記事はフェイクニュースだった。
That article was fake news.
フェイクニュースに騙されないように気をつけて。
Be careful not to be fooled by fake news.
Literally 'fake news', using the native Japanese word 偽 (false/fake). Less common than フェイクニュース but still used, especially in more formal or written contexts.
SNSで偽ニュースが拡散された。
Fake news was spread on social media.
Means 'false news' or 'untruthful news'. 虚偽 is a formal term for falsehood or fabrication. Often used in news reports or official statements.
その新聞は虚偽のニュースを掲載した。
The newspaper published false news.
To emphasize that the news is completely made up, a fabrication or a hoax.
でっち上げ means 'fabrication' or 'made-up story'. This phrase strongly implies the news was intentionally created to deceive.
それは完全にでっち上げのニュースだ。
That's completely fabricated news.
Slang term for false information or a hoax, often used in journalism or online. ガセ comes from お騒がせ (causing a fuss) and ネタ means material/story. Casual and somewhat dated.
その情報はガセネタだった。
That information was a hoax.
A formal term for a false report or misinformation. Used in news media contexts, but less common in everyday speech.
To refer to false or misleading information spread deliberately or accidentally, often in a broader context than just news.
Means 'misinformation' or 'erroneous report'. It implies a mistake rather than intentional deception. Commonly used in news corrections.
新聞が誤報を認めて謝罪した。
The newspaper acknowledged the misinformation and apologized.
Literally 'false information'. Can refer to any kind of fake information, including news. Often used in discussions about disinformation campaigns.
Short for デマゴギー (demagogy), but in Japanese it means 'false rumor' or 'hoax'. Often used for unverified information spreading on social media.
そのツイートはデマだった。
That tweet was a hoax.
To refer to news that is intentionally false for humor or satire, not meant to deceive.
Means 'satirical news'. Used for news parodies like The Onion. 風刺 means satire.
あのサイトは風刺ニュースを専門にしている。
That site specializes in satirical news.
Literally 'joke news'. A more casual way to refer to news that is meant as a joke.
それは本気にしないで、冗談ニュースだから。
Don't take it seriously, it's just joke news.
While 偽 (にせ) means 'fake', directly saying 偽ニュース is less common than the loanword フェイクニュース. In many contexts, フェイクニュース is the most natural choice.
フェイクニュース is a broad term for fake news, often implying intentional fabrication. 誤報 is an erroneous report, usually a mistake. デマ is a false rumor or hoax, often spread informally. Choose based on the nuance you want to convey.
The news turned out to be a false report.
インターネット上には偽情報があふれている。
The internet is full of false information.