Väärennä

Väärennä is a Finnish word that translates to "counterfeit," "forgery," or "fake" in English. It refers to an object or document that has been imitatively created with the intention to deceive or defraud. This can encompass a wide range of items, including counterfeit currency, forged documents such as signatures or identification, imitation artworks, or counterfeit goods.

The act of creating a väärennä is generally illegal and carries legal consequences. Laws against counterfeiting and forgery are in place to protect individuals, businesses, and the integrity of financial systems and official documents. The sophistication of väärennä can vary greatly, from crude imitations to highly skilled reproductions that can be difficult to distinguish from the genuine article.

In common usage, väärennä can also be used more broadly to describe anything that is not genuine or authentic, even if there is no intent to deceive or defraud. For example, a poorly made souvenir that resembles a famous landmark might be casually referred to as a väärennä. However, the primary legal and common meaning relates to deliberate deception.