die  Fälschung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈfɛlʃʊŋ/

🔍 What exactly is a 'Fälschung'?

Die Fälschung (noun, feminine) generally refers to something that is not genuine but has been intentionally created to appear authentic. It's an Nachahmung (imitation) or Imitation (imitation) with the intent to deceive.

This can apply to various things:

• 📄 A forged document (e.g., a fake ID card - ein gefälschter Ausweis)
• 🖼️ An artwork imitating an original (e.g., a forged painting - ein gefälschtes Gemälde)
• 💰 Counterfeit money (Falschgeld)
• 👜 Counterfeit branded goods (Produktpiraterie - product piracy)

The act of creating a forgery is called fälschen (to forge, to counterfeit). So, a Fälschung is the result of this process. ⚠️ Attention: The term always implies deceptive intent and is often associated with illegal activities.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "die Fälschung" in Detail

The word "Fälschung" is a feminine noun. Therefore, the article is die. Nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine in German.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Die Polizei entdeckte eine Fälschung des berühmten Gemäldes.
   (The police discovered a forgery of the famous painting.)
2. Er wurde wegen Dokumentenfälschung angeklagt.
   (He was charged with document forgery.)
3. Diese Uhr ist keine echte Rolex, sondern eine billige Fälschung.
   (This watch is not a real Rolex, but a cheap counterfeit.)
4. Im Umlauf befinden sich zahlreiche Fälschungen von Banknoten.
   (Numerous counterfeit banknotes are in circulation.)
5. Die Echtheit des Dokuments wurde angezweifelt; es könnte sich um eine Fälschung handeln.
   (The authenticity of the document was questioned; it could be a forgery.)

💡 How to use "Fälschung"?

The term die Fälschung is frequently used in specific contexts:

• Law and Crime: In connection with criminal offenses such as Urkundenfälschung (document forgery), Geldfälschung (money counterfeiting), or Betrug (fraud). Example: Die Anklage lautete auf Fälschung und Betrug. (The charge was forgery and fraud.)
• Art Market: To designate non-authentic artworks passed off as originals. Example: Der Experte entlarvte das Bild als geschickte Fälschung. (The expert exposed the painting as a skillful forgery.)
• Economy and Consumption: Refers to counterfeit branded goods (Produktpiraterie) or forged documents in business transactions. Example: Der Zoll beschlagnahmte eine Lieferung mit Fälschungen bekannter Modemarken. (Customs seized a shipment of counterfeits of well-known fashion brands.)

Distinction from similar terms:

• Kopie (copy): Can be neutral and doesn't necessarily imply intent to deceive (e.g., a copy for study purposes).
• Imitation (imitation): Similar to copy, often used in the context of style or design, not necessarily negative.
• Plagiat (plagiarism): The unlawful appropriation of someone else's intellectual property (text, music, ideas), often in academic or creative fields.

A Fälschung almost always implies fraudulent intent and an attempt to make something worthless or inferior appear valuable or genuine.

🧠 Mnemonics for Fälschung

Remembering the Article: Words ending in "-ung" are usually feminine things, so it has to be "die" Fälschung!

Remembering the Meaning: A Fälschung sounds like a "false-thing" being passed off as real. It's fatally bad if you buy one!

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Be careful with Kopie and Imitation: Depending on the context, these can be neutral or even positive, whereas Fälschung is always negative and deceptive.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Warum haben Sie Geldscheine gefälscht?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Herr Richter, die Maschine zum Drucken echter Scheine war leider kaputt!"

Translation:
The judge asks the defendant: "Why did you counterfeit banknotes?"
The defendant replies: "Your Honor, the machine for printing real banknotes was unfortunately broken!"

📜 Poem about Forgery

Ein Schein, so glatt, ein Bild so klar,
doch unter Lack, nichts echt, nichts wahr.
Die Hand geschickt, das Aug' betört,
die Fälschung lacht, unerhört.

Ein Name drauf, berühmt und alt,
doch nur kopiert, berechnend kalt.
Im Lichte glänzt der falsche Glanz,
die Fälschung tanzt den Narrentanz.

Translation:
A bill so smooth, a picture so clear,
But beneath the veneer, nothing real, nothing dear.
The hand is skilled, the eye deceived,
The forgery laughs, unperceived.

A name upon it, famous and old,
But merely copied, calculatingly cold.
In the light shines the false gleam,
The forgery dances a fool's dream.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich sehe aus wie echt und teuer,
doch bin nur Schein und Abenteuer.
Man macht mich nach mit List und Trug,
vor Gericht bringt man mich oft genug.

Was bin ich? (Lösung: die Fälschung)

Translation:
I look genuine and expensive, it's true,
But I'm just illusion and risky pursuit.
I'm copied with cunning and deceitful guile,
And often end up in a court trial.

What am I? (Answer: the forgery / die Fälschung)

ℹ️ Additional Info

Word Composition:

The word "Fälschung" derives from the verb "fälschen" (to forge, to counterfeit). The suffix "-ung" is commonly used in German to form a noun from a verb, describing the process or result of the action. These nouns are typically feminine.

• fälschen (verb)
• + -ung (noun-forming suffix)
• = die Fälschung (noun: the forgery, the counterfeit)

Historical Context:

Forgeries have existed as long as humans have created documents, artworks, or currencies that hold value. From counterfeit Roman coins to modern digital forgeries, the principle of deception through imitation is ancient.