Meaning
Something that is false or not real.
Cultural Background
Due to the war, 'StopFake' is a very famous organization. Calling something a 'фейк' is often a political statement about resisting propaganda. The term 'фейк' is used for 'catfishing'—when someone uses a fake photo on a dating app. In big markets like '7th Kilometer' in Odesa, 'фейк' is a standard business term for replicas. Young people use 'фейк' to describe people who are 'fake' or insincere in their emotions.
Use it for 'Fake News'
This is the most common use today. If you see a weird headline, just say 'Це фейк'.
Not for mistakes
Don't tell your teacher you made a 'фейк' in your homework; they will think you tried to cheat!
Meaning
Something that is false or not real.
Use it for 'Fake News'
This is the most common use today. If you see a weird headline, just say 'Це фейк'.
Not for mistakes
Don't tell your teacher you made a 'фейк' in your homework; they will think you tried to cheat!
Adjective form
Learn 'фейковий' (fake-ish). It's very useful for describing accounts, news, and products.
Media Literacy
In Ukraine, being able to spot a 'фейк' is a respected skill.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence about a lie on the internet.
Ти бачив ту новину? Я думаю, це ____.
In the context of a suspicious news story, 'фейк' is the most appropriate word.
Fill in the blank with the correct adjective form.
Не читай ці _______ новини.
'Новини' is plural, so the adjective must be plural: 'фейкові'.
Match the situation to the response.
Situation: You see a 'Gucci' bag for 200 UAH at a street stall.
A luxury brand at an impossibly low price is a 'фейк'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Мені написав президент у Телеграм! B: Не будь наївним, це ____.
A message from a president to a random citizen is almost certainly a fake/scam.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Фейк vs. Помилка
Practice Bank
4 exercisesТи бачив ту новину? Я думаю, це ____.
In the context of a suspicious news story, 'фейк' is the most appropriate word.
Не читай ці _______ новини.
'Новини' is plural, so the adjective must be plural: 'фейкові'.
Situation: You see a 'Gucci' bag for 200 UAH at a street stall.
A luxury brand at an impossibly low price is a 'фейк'.
A: Мені написав президент у Телеграм! B: Не будь наївним, це ____.
A message from a president to a random citizen is almost certainly a fake/scam.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it's not a swear word. It's informal slang, but perfectly safe to use in most conversations.
Yes, you can say 'Він фейковий' to mean he is insincere or 'fake', but it's quite informal.
The plural is 'фейки' (fey-ky).
Not a direct one. Usually, we say 'створювати фейк' (to create a fake) or 'фальсифікувати'.
'Брехня' is a general lie. 'Фейк' usually implies a specific piece of content (news, photo, product).
Only if you are discussing media or security. Otherwise, use 'неправдива інформація'.
Yes, Ukrainian news anchors use it frequently when debunking disinformation.
Yes, if it's a counterfeit brand of food, you can call it a 'фейк'.
It is masculine (він).
You can say 'фейкові новини' or simply 'фейки'.
Related Phrases
Фейкові новини
specialized formFake news
Брехня
synonymA lie
Підробка
synonymA counterfeit/forgery
Діпфейк
builds onDeepfake
Вброс
similarInformation dump
