Table of Contents

màopái: 冒牌 - Fake, Counterfeit, Impostor

Quick Summary

Core Meaning

Character Breakdown

When you combine them, 冒牌 (màopái) literally means “to impersonate a brand,” which perfectly captures its meaning of being counterfeit.

Cultural Context and Significance

`冒牌` is a crucial term for understanding modern consumer culture in China. For decades, especially during its period of rapid economic growth, China was famous for its markets filled with counterfeit goods, from electronics to luxury bags. The term `冒牌` directly addresses this phenomenon. It's important to compare `冒牌` with the related, but broader, concept of `山寨 (shānzhài)`.

Understanding `冒牌` sheds light on the ongoing conversation in China about intellectual property, consumer rights, and the shift from “Made in China” to “Created in China.”

Practical Usage in Modern China

`冒牌` is used frequently in daily life, especially when shopping or discussing the authenticity of products.

The connotation is always negative, implying deception, poor quality, and illegality.

Example Sentences

Nuances and Common Mistakes