# 流言蜚语

liú yán fēi yǔ

Unfounded rumors and malicious gossip

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Wandering words and flying talk

**Traditional Chinese:** 流言蜚語

**Register:** Standard · expressive

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Describe damaging unverified claims spreading socially.

A verified report is different from rumor.

## Understanding the expression

Words travel beyond their original setting and circulate without dependable support. The expression describes rumors, slander, and gossip that can damage a person’s reputation. Its negative tone often suggests malice as well as uncertainty. Repetition does not make such talk reliable. Before passing it on, separate what is known from what is merely heard. A factual report supported by evidence should not be dismissed as rumor simply because it is uncomfortable.

## Examples

她不理会那些流言蜚语。

### Traditional Chinese

她不理會那些流言蜚語。

tā bù lǐ huì nà xiē liú yán fēi yǔ 。

She ignored those malicious rumors.

流言蜚语伤害了他的名誉。

### Traditional Chinese

流言蜚語傷害了他的名譽。

liú yán fēi yǔ shāng hài le tā de míng yù 。

Unfounded gossip damaged his reputation.

别转发未经核实的流言蜚语。

### Traditional Chinese

別轉發未經核實的流言蜚語。

bié zhuǎn fā wèi jīng hé shí de liú yán fēi yǔ 。

Do not forward unverified rumors.

公开证据后，流言蜚语逐渐平息。

### Traditional Chinese

公開證據後，流言蜚語逐漸平息。

gōng kāi zhèng jù hòu ， liú yán fēi yǔ zhú jiàn píng xī 。

After evidence was made public, the rumors gradually subsided.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E6%B5%81%E8%A8%80%E8%9C%9A%E8%AA%9E)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1009&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [路不拾遗 lù bù shí yí A community is so honest that lost items remain untouched ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/lu-bu-shi-yi)

- [络绎不绝 luò yì bù jué Continue arriving or passing in an unbroken stream ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/luo-yi-bu-jue)

- [马耳东风 mǎ ěr dōng fēng Words that receive no attention ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/ma-er-dong-feng)

- [麻木不仁 má mù bù rén Be emotionally insensitive or indifferent ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/ma-mu-bu-ren)

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