擬 (Kanji for sham) | KANJIDAMAGE

This one is different from fake (偽) :it doesn't mean counterfeit or phony. It means sham as in a practice test, or a mock trial, or the model home in ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT where all the fruit in the kitchen was plastic. In other words, 擬 means a sham that is a mock-up or a model - it's not meant to fool anyone.

Onyomi

Mnemonic

You raise your hand up like, "Waaaait a minute, I doubt that you are real GEEse. Judging by your cardboard feathers and paste-on googly eyes, you are some motherfucking sham geese."

Jukugo

擬態語(ぎたいご)

emotional sound-effect ★☆☆☆☆ 1/2 KANA
擬 (sham) + 態 (looks like) + 語 (language) = 擬態語 (emotional sound-effect)

擬態語 is a　very Japanese concept - a sound effect for something that doesn't make noise - usually emotional states. The only English example of 擬態語 I can think of is ' bling.'

擬似(ぎじ) XXX

quasi ★☆☆☆☆ PRE
擬 (sham) + 似 (resemble) = 擬似 (quasi)

PREFIX meaning 'quasi-XXX'

擬音語(ぎおんご)

Onomatopoeia! ★☆☆☆☆ 1/2 KANA
擬 (sham) + 音 (sound) + 語 (language) = 擬音語 (Onomatopoeia!)

Onomatopoeia!!!! Sound-effect words. in English, that means words like 'slap' 'smack' or 'splash.'

擬 sham

Onyomi

Mnemonic

Jukugo