Translation guide
A hoax is a deliberate deception, often intended to trick people or as a joke. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is でっち上げ, but other words like いたずら or 偽情報 are used depending on the nature of the hoax.
To refer to a made-up story, false news, or a deceptive claim intended to mislead people.
The most direct and common translation for 'hoax'. It implies something completely fabricated, often with malicious intent or as a prank.
そのニュースはでっち上げだった。
That news was a hoax.
彼は誘拐事件をでっち上げた。
He fabricated a kidnapping hoax.
Literally 'false information'. Used for hoaxes that spread misinformation, especially in media or online contexts. More formal than でっち上げ.
SNSで偽情報が拡散された。
False information was spread on social media.
Slang for false information or a fake story, often used in journalism or online. Casual and somewhat rough.
それ、ガセネタだよ。
That's a hoax, you know.
To refer to a hoax that is meant as a joke or to trick someone in a playful way, not necessarily malicious.
General word for a prank or mischief. Can be used for hoaxes that are playful rather than harmful.
それはただのいたずらだった。
It was just a hoax/prank.
Kanji form of いたずら, often used in written contexts. Same meaning but more formal appearance.
To refer to a hoax that is designed to deceive people for financial gain or other malicious purposes.
Means 'fraud' or 'scam'. Use when the hoax involves financial deception or criminal intent.
その投資話は詐欺だった。
That investment scheme was a hoax/scam.
A colloquial term for a swindle or con. Implies trickery, often in a more old-fashioned or dramatic sense.
彼はペテンにかけられた。
He fell for a hoax/swindle.
To refer to a hoax involving a fake threat, such as a bomb scare, that causes panic or disruption.
Specifically a bomb threat hoax. Combines 'bomb threat' (爆破予告) with 'prank' (いたずら).
空港に爆破予告のいたずら電話があった。
There was a hoax bomb threat call to the airport.
False report or false alarm. Can be used for hoax emergency calls or reports.
火事の虚報が何件かあった。
There were several hoax fire reports.
でっち上げ emphasizes fabrication, often of a story or claim. いたずら is a prank or mischief, usually harmless. 詐欺 is fraud, involving criminal deception for gain. Choose based on the intent and severity of the hoax.
UFO目撃談はでっち上げだった。
The UFO sighting story was a hoax.
友達にいたずら電話をかけた。
I made a prank call to my friend.
彼は詐欺で逮捕された。
He was arrested for fraud.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all nuances of 'hoax'. Avoid using ホークス (which means 'hawks') or other katakana approximations. Use context-appropriate terms instead.
悪戯はやめなさい。
Stop playing pranks.