Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing 'false rumour' depends on whether you want to say a rumour is untrue, a baseless gossip, or a deliberately spread lie. The most common and neutral term is デマ, a loanword from German 'Demagogie', widely used for false rumours or misinformation. For more traditional or formal contexts, 流言飛語 (or 流言蜚語) is used, often in set phrases. To describe a rumour as groundless, 根も葉もない噂 is a common expression.
To refer to a rumour or piece of information that is false, often spread online or by word of mouth.
The most common and neutral term for a false rumour or misinformation. It is a loanword from German and is widely used in everyday conversation and media.
あの話はデマだった。
That story was a false rumour.
ネットでデマが広がっている。
A false rumour is spreading online.
A formal, somewhat literary term for false rumours or groundless gossip. Often used in the set phrase 流言飛語に惑わされる (to be misled by false rumours).
流言飛語に惑わされないでください。
Please do not be misled by false rumours.
Variant kanji form of 流言飛語, with the same meaning and reading. Less common but still seen in formal writing.
流言蜚語が飛び交っている。
False rumours are flying about.
To emphasize that a rumour has no basis in fact, is completely unfounded.
Literally 'a rumour without roots or leaves', meaning a completely groundless rumour. Very common and natural expression.
それは根も葉もない噂だ。
That's a groundless rumour.
根も葉もない噂を信じてはいけない。
You shouldn't believe baseless rumours.
A more direct way to say 'unfounded rumour', using 根拠 (basis/grounds). Slightly more formal than 根も葉もない噂.
根拠のない噂が流れている。
An unfounded rumour is circulating.
To refer to a rumour that is intentionally fabricated and spread to deceive people.
Means 'false information' or 'disinformation', often implying deliberate fabrication. Used in news and formal contexts.
これは明らかな偽情報です。
This is clearly false information.
Slang term for a false rumour or hoax, often used for deliberately fabricated stories, especially in entertainment or tabloid contexts.
その記事はガセネタだった。
That article was a hoax.
A straightforward phrase meaning 'false rumour' or 'lie rumour'. Simple and clear, but less idiomatic than デマ.
嘘の噂を流すのはやめてください。
Please stop spreading false rumours.
噂 (rumour) itself is neutral and can be true or false. デマ specifically means a false rumour. So デマ is a subset of 噂. If you just say 噂, you need context to clarify it's false.
それはただの噂だよ。
That's just a rumour. (could be true or false)
それはデマだよ。
That's a false rumour.
The direct translation '偽の噂' (false rumour) is understandable but not natural. Use デマ or 根も葉もない噂 instead.