'假货' (jiǎ huò) literally means 'false goods' — 假 (jiǎ) means 'fake' or 'counterfeit', and 货 (huò) means 'goods' or 'merchandise'. Together, they refer specifically to counterfeit or fake products designed to imitate authentic, branded items — such as fake handbags, pirated electronics, or imitation cosmetics. These goods are typically lower in quality and often sold without authorization, sometimes illegally.

The term carries a strong negative connotation and is commonly used in consumer protection, news reports, market regulation, and everyday warnings. It appears frequently in discussions about shopping safety, online marketplaces, and customs inspections. Unlike neutral terms like 商品 (shāngpǐn, 'commodity'), 假货 implies deception and potential harm — whether financial, health-related, or reputational. It’s rarely used in formal economic analysis but is widespread in spoken Mandarin and media aimed at general audiences.