tiruan

Tiruan is a term used in Indonesian and Malay to denote imitation or replica. It can refer to a thing that imitates the appearance, function, or style of another object, or to the act of imitation itself. As a noun, it often describes a counterfeit or non-original item, such as barang tiruan, which implies an unauthorised copy or imitation sold as if it were genuine. Tiruan can also be used as an adjective meaning fake, imitation, or counterfeit, as in karya tiruan or barang tiruan.

Etymology and usage: Tiruan derives from the verb tiru, meaning to imitate, with the agentive or nominalizing suffix -an. The concept is common across Malay-speaking communities and is widely understood in formal and informal contexts. The term covers a range of imitations, from crude replicas to more sophisticated copies that mimic branding, design, or functionality.

Contexts and examples: In commerce, tiruan frequently appears in discussions of counterfeit goods, intellectual property, and consumer protection. In culture and arts, it can describe imitative styles, parodies, or pastiches that imitate established works without claiming originality. In everyday language, people may refer to tiruan items when warning about quality, legality, or authenticity.

Legal and economic aspects: Many jurisdictions regulate tiruan goods under trademark, copyright, and consumer protection laws. Penalties for producing or selling counterfeit items can include fines, seizure, or imprisonment, depending on the country and the severity of infringement. For consumers, recognizing tiruan items involves examining branding, materials, and provenance.

Synonyms and related terms include imitasi, palsu, and barang tiruan; the antonym is asli or original.