Further to Beth's question regarding "You're so fake" or "you phony". I'd like to write something about "different Chinese translations for the same English sentence", which depends on what contexts they are used in.
I'm trying to cover all the bases and every possible context. Hope these example sentences help us get the gist of it.
1.When your friend wears so much makeup,
You would say "you're so fake, guys like natural beauty"
We would say "你也太假了，男的都喜欢自然美"
You're so fake you make Barbie look real.
你也太假了，芭比跟你比都是真的。
2.When your friend talks dirty jokes when he is with his friends but as soon as someone important comes along he acts all serious and formal.
You would say "you're so fake" to your friend,
We would say "你也太能装了"
3.In fact we are all fake, we fake smiles, reactions, our appearance everyday, if your friend pointed out someone was fake,
You would say "You phoney" or "you are so hypocritical" to your friend,
We would say "你也太虚伪了"
I can't think of any other context in which "you're so fake or you phoney" is used. I think there might be different Chinese equivalents in different contexts
Going back to 虚假，acutally it is used to discribe things, it is rarely used alone to discribe someone who is fake or phony, we might say 虚假做作.
BTW, I don't think "you're so fake" and "you phony" are interchangeble and mean the same thing, but I am not sure.<img title="Cry" src="http://www.italki.com/Scripts/tinymce/jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/img/smiley-cry.gif" alt="Cry" border="0" />
Your thoughts and opinions are always welcome!<img title="Smile" src="http://www.italki.com/Scripts/tinymce/jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/img/smiley-smile.gif" alt="Smile" border="0" />
有意思。
I know people in your country sometimes would associate "fake" with "Chinese products", which shows people still hold negative views about the quality of goods made in China.
You're so fake! If I look behind your neck, I bet it says: "MADE IN CHINA".
I have to admit that It takes time to change people's mind and our reputation. I hope I will overhear something like this,
Your outfit is really gorgeous! I bet it says: "MADE IN CHINA", though it really worth your money!
Perhaps I did not explain the situation clearly. A girl who is 撒嬌 telling her lover that he's so fake. 你真是个騙子! Or when she says 你這个坏蛋 doesn't mean what she says! Same thing in English. All I can say is words cannot be taken at face value. The context and the circumstances in which they are used. We are discussing simple sentences here devoid of all detailed context.
Haha... We usually call her a "bimbo with fake goods!"
Hi Beth,
I agree with you. Exactly there is difference between these two words, subtle but noticeable.
I realize more and more the importance of exchanging our ideas and thoughts in the process of learning a second language. As a saying goes:思想的碰撞，智慧的交融. we need get together to exchange thoughts and brainstorm, we need fire off our ideas and bounce them around. I believe we will bring home much more than we expect<img title="Smile" src="http://www.italki.com/Scripts/tinymce/jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/img/smiley-smile.gif" alt="Smile" border="0" />
You're so fake you make Barbie look real...hahahahaha OMG I love it!!!
Fenton, fake and phoney can be interchangable but not always, it depends on the situation and you're meaning.
Fake is used more for describing somethings make up or apperance, whereas phoney is used more when you want to imply a feeling of deception. For example I would say fake dvd's/goods rather than phoney dvds/goods. Though if someone did describe them as phoney I would not pick hairs over it. It is a matter of personal preference really.
Thank you for you insights into the translation possabilities.
