伪造 (wěi zào) is a formal verb meaning 'to forge, counterfeit, or fabricate' — it focuses on the act of creating a fake version of something (documents, money, art). Unlike 假冒 (jiǎ mào), which emphasizes impersonating a person or brand, 伪造 targets the object being faked. It is more specific than the adjective 假 (jiǎ 'fake') and distinct from 打造/铸造, which mean 'to forge metal' or 'to create/build' in a literal or figurative sense.