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.
彼女はいつも人の悪口を言っている。
She's always speaking ill of others.
Specifically means talking behind someone's back. Emphasizes the secretive, cowardly nature of the gossip.
陰口を言うのはやめなさい。
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.
彼は芸能人のゴシップに詳しい。
He knows a lot about celebrity gossip.
Formal term for slander and defamation. Often used in legal or serious contexts.
インターネット上の誹謗中傷が問題になっている。
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.
誰かが彼について悪い噂を流している。
Someone is spreading bad rumors about him.
A set phrase meaning 'groundless rumor'. Emphasizes the falsehood of the gossip.
それは根も葉もない噂だ。
That's a completely groundless rumor.
Short for 'demagogy', meaning false rumor or hoax. Often used for malicious misinformation.
その話はデマだと分かった。
That story turned out to be a hoax.
To refer to legally actionable false statements that harm someone's reputation.
The legal term for defamation. Used in formal and legal contexts.
彼は名誉毀損で訴えられた。
He was sued for defamation.
Means slander or vilification. Often used in compounds like 誹謗中傷.
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.
彼は面と向かって悪口を言うタイプだ。
He's the type to say bad things to your face.
陰口ばかり言う人は信用できない。
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.
悪意のあるゴシップ
malicious gossip (literal, unnatural)
悪意のあるゴシップ
malicious gossip (literal, unnatural)
彼の発言は明らかな中傷だ。
His remarks are clearly slander.