Translation guide
The English word 'gossip' covers casual talk about others, often private or unverified. In Japanese, the most common equivalents are 噂 (うわさ) for rumors and ゴシップ for celebrity or media gossip. The verb 'to gossip' is often expressed with phrases like 噂話をする or 陰口を言う, depending on whether it's neutral or negative.
Casual talk or stories about other people's private lives, often unconfirmed.
The most common word for 'rumor' or 'gossip'. Can be used for both positive and negative talk. Often used in the phrase 噂話 (うわさばなし).
I heard a rumor about her marriage.
That's just gossip.
Loanword from English, often used for celebrity gossip or tabloid-style stories. Less common for everyday personal gossip.
He knows a lot about celebrity gossip.
Literally 'rumor talk', a common compound for gossip or idle talk about others.
We got excited talking gossip.
A more formal or literary term for rumor or hearsay. Not used in casual conversation.
That rumor turned out to be untrue.
Saying bad things about someone when they are not present.
Literally 'to say shadow mouth', meaning to badmouth or gossip about someone behind their back. Strongly negative.
He's always gossiping about people behind their backs.
More general 'to speak ill of someone', not necessarily behind their back, but often overlaps with gossip.
It's not good to gossip about your friends.
Noun form meaning 'backbiting' or 'malicious gossip'.
Light, informal conversation that may include gossip but is not necessarily malicious.
Literally 'to do world talk', meaning to make small talk or chat about everyday matters, which can include gossip.
I chatted with a neighbor (and we gossiped a bit).
General term for chatting or talking idly. Can imply gossip depending on context.
They were gossiping away at the cafe.
The action of engaging in gossip.
The most direct verb phrase for 'to gossip', meaning to spread or discuss rumors.
They were gossiping about the teacher.
Using the loanword as a verb with する. Common for celebrity gossip.
Stop gossiping and get to work.
Means to pry or inquire into others' affairs, often with a negative connotation of nosy gossip.
Stop gossiping about people's private lives.
A section in newspapers or magazines dedicated to celebrity gossip.
While ゴシップ is understood, it is strongly associated with media and celebrities. For everyday personal gossip, 噂 (うわさ) or 陰口 (かげぐち) are more natural. Using ゴシップ for talking about a coworker might sound odd or overly dramatic.
噂 is neutral and can be positive or negative; it simply means 'rumor'. 陰口 is explicitly negative and implies talking behind someone's back. Choose based on the intent.
The gossip about his promotion was true.
People who gossip maliciously are disliked.
陰口が耳に入った。
I overheard some gossip about me.
Literally 'well-side conference', a humorous term for neighborhood gossip, especially among housewives.
The gossip session is in full swing.