Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing 'rumour' depends on whether you are talking about a general rumor, hearsay, gossip, or a specific piece of unverified information. The most common word is 噂 (うわさ), but other expressions like 風評 (ふうひょう) or デマ (でま) carry different nuances. Japanese also uses grammatical patterns like 〜そうだ or 〜らしい to convey hearsay without a noun.
To talk about a rumor or piece of gossip that is circulating, often about people or events.
The most common and versatile word for 'rumor' or 'gossip'. Can be used for both personal gossip and wider rumors.
彼女について変な噂を聞いた。
I heard a strange rumor about her.
その噂は本当ですか？
Is that rumor true?
Refers to rumors or reputation, often in business or social contexts. More formal than 噂.
風評被害が広がっている。
Rumor-driven damage is spreading.
Short for デマゴギー (demagogy), meaning false rumor or misinformation, often spread maliciously.
それはただのデマだよ。
That's just a false rumor.
A literary or formal term for 'rumor' or 'hearsay', often used in set phrases like 流言飛語 (りゅうげんひご) meaning 'wild rumors'.
流言飛語に惑わされないでください。
Please don't be misled by wild rumors.
To convey that you heard something from someone else, without specifying a rumor noun.
Attach to the plain form of a verb, adjective, or noun to indicate hearsay. 'I heard that...'
明日は雨が降るそうだ。
I heard it will rain tomorrow.
彼は来ないそうだ。
I heard he's not coming.
Also expresses hearsay or conjecture based on evidence. More indirect than 〜そうだ.
あの店は美味しいらしい。
I hear that restaurant is good.
A more formal or written way to report hearsay. 'It is said that...'
会議は延期されるということだ。
It is said that the meeting will be postponed.
To talk about the action of spreading or starting a rumor.
Literally 'to spread a rumor'. The most common verb phrase.
誰がそんな噂を流したの？
Who spread such a rumor?
Intransitive: 'a rumor spreads'. Note the intransitive verb 広まる.
変な噂が広まっている。
A strange rumor is going around.
Transitive: 'to spread a rumor'. Note the transitive verb 広める.
彼はその噂を広めた。
He spread that rumor.
噂 is a neutral term for rumor or gossip, while デマ specifically implies false or malicious misinformation. Use デマ when you want to emphasize that the rumor is untrue or harmful.
あれは噂じゃなくてデマだ。
That's not a rumor; it's a falsehood.
English speakers often want to say 'I heard a rumor that...' but in Japanese, it's more natural to use hearsay patterns like 〜そうだ or 〜らしい instead of explicitly saying 噂. Reserve 噂 for when you are specifically talking about a rumor as a topic.
彼が結婚するそうだ。
I heard he's getting married. (Not: 彼が結婚する噂を聞いた, which is possible but less natural.)