Translation guide
Expressing the idea of harmful, spiteful talk about others. Japanese has several common words and phrases, ranging from general 'bad rumors' to more specific terms for slander or backbiting.
To refer to harmful or spiteful talk about someone, often spreading unverified information.
The most common and versatile word for speaking ill of someone. It can be used for gossip, insults, or backbiting.
She's always speaking ill of others.
Specifically means talking behind someone's back. Emphasizes the secretive, cowardly nature of the gossip.
Stop talking behind people's backs.
Loanword from English, often used for celebrity gossip or sensational rumors. Can be neutral or negative depending on context.
He knows a lot about celebrity gossip.
Formal term for slander and defamation. Often used in legal or serious contexts.
Online slander has become a problem.
To describe the act of spreading harmful, often false, stories about someone.
Literally 'to spread bad rumors'. A natural and common way to express malicious gossip.
Someone is spreading bad rumors about him.
A set phrase meaning 'groundless rumor'. Emphasizes the falsehood of the gossip.
That's a completely groundless rumor.
Short for 'demagogy', meaning false rumor or hoax. Often used for malicious misinformation.
To refer to legally actionable false statements that harm someone's reputation.
悪口 (waruguchi) is a general term for speaking ill of someone, which can be done directly or indirectly. 陰口 (kageguchi) specifically means talking behind someone's back, emphasizing the sneaky aspect. If you want to stress that the gossip is secretive, use 陰口.
He's the type to say bad things to your face.
You can't trust people who only talk behind others' backs.
The direct translation '悪意のあるゴシップ' (akui no aru goshippu) is understandable but unnatural. Use the terms above for more natural Japanese.
malicious gossip (literal, unnatural)
That story turned out to be a hoax.
彼の発言は明らかな中傷だ。
His remarks are clearly slander.