Translation guide
The act of making false and defamatory statements to damage someone's reputation. In Japanese, this is expressed through specific nouns and verbs, often with formal or legal connotations.
To refer to the act of making false statements that harm someone's reputation.
General term for slander or defamation. Often used in compounds like 誹謗中傷 (ひぼうちゅうしょう) for 'slander and libel'.
To express the action of making false and damaging statements about someone.
中傷 is the most common and general term for slander. 誹謗 is often used in the compound 誹謗中傷 and carries a slightly more formal tone. 名誉毀損 is a legal term specifically referring to defamation as a crime or tort.
The English word 'calumny' is relatively formal and rare. In most everyday situations, 中傷 or 悪口 (わるぐち, badmouthing) are more natural. Using 讒言 may sound overly dramatic or archaic.
彼は中傷の犠牲者だった。
He was a victim of calumny.
その政治家は中傷を否定した。
The politician denied the calumny.
彼は中傷に苦しんでいる。
He is suffering from slander.
Refers to defamation or libel, often used in legal or formal contexts. Commonly paired with 中傷.
誹謗中傷は許されない。
Slander and libel are unforgivable.
Legal term for defamation, literally 'damage to honor'. Used in formal and legal contexts.
彼は名誉毀損で訴えられた。
He was sued for defamation.
False accusation or slander, often with a nuance of backbiting or malicious gossip. Literary or old-fashioned.
讒言によって彼は失脚した。
He fell from power due to slander.
新聞が彼を誹謗した。
The newspaper defamed him.
Phrase meaning 'to damage someone's honor/reputation'. More descriptive and less technical.
その記事は彼の名誉を傷つけた。
The article damaged his reputation.
To slander maliciously, often behind someone's back. Literary and rare.
彼は上司に讒言した。
He slandered his colleague to the boss.