Translation guide
To say malicious things about someone who is not present. In Japanese, this is expressed through specific verbs, idiomatic phrases, and descriptive expressions.
To speak ill of someone behind their back
The most common and natural way to say 'backbite' or 'speak ill of someone behind their back'. Literally 'to strike a shadow mouth'.
彼女はいつも同僚の陰口を叩いている。
She is always backbiting her colleagues.
A more literal phrase meaning 'to say bad things in the shadows'. Slightly less idiomatic than 陰口を叩く but still natural.
彼は陰で人の悪口を言うのが好きだ。
He likes to backbite people.
A formal, written term meaning 'to slander' or 'to defame'. Used in legal or serious contexts.
彼は新聞で政治家を誹謗した。
He backbit the politician in the newspaper.
To spread harmful rumors or gossip about someone not present
Literally 'to spread rumors without root or leaf', meaning completely unfounded gossip. Emphasizes the false nature of the backbiting.
彼らは彼について根も葉もない噂を流した。
They backbit him by spreading baseless rumors.
Do not translate 'backbite' literally as 背中を噛む (to bite the back). This makes no sense in Japanese.
陰口 (kageguchi) specifically refers to speaking ill of someone behind their back, while 悪口 (waruguchi) is general badmouthing, which can be done to someone's face. For 'backbite', 陰口 is more precise.
Means 'to slander' or 'to defame'. Stronger than 陰口, implying malicious intent to damage reputation.
彼はライバルを中傷する記事を書いた。
He wrote an article backbiting his rival.