Translation guide
The English word "slander" refers to spoken defamation. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 誹謗中傷 (hibō chūshō), but the concept is expressed through various words and phrases depending on context, formality, and whether it's spoken or written. This guide covers the most useful expressions for learners.
To refer to the act of making false and damaging spoken statements about someone.
The most direct and common term for slander or defamation, covering both spoken and written forms. Often used in legal and everyday contexts.
彼は同僚を誹謗中傷した。
He slandered his colleague.
A shorter form meaning defamation or slander, often used in compounds or more casually.
それは単なる中傷だ。
That's just slander.
Literally 'to say bad things', this is a very common, casual way to express speaking ill of someone, though not necessarily legally defamatory.
彼女はいつも人の悪口を言っている。
She's always slandering people.
Refers to speaking ill of someone behind their back, i.e., backbiting or malicious gossip. Not exactly 'slander' but related.
陰口を叩くのはやめなさい。
Stop slandering people behind their backs.
To refer to slander as a legal offense, distinct from libel (written defamation).
The precise legal term for spoken defamation, literally 'oral defamation'. Used in formal or legal settings.
口頭による名誉毀損で訴えられた。
He was sued for slander.
General term for defamation, covering both slander and libel. Often used in legal contexts without specifying spoken vs. written.
名誉毀損で裁判になった。
It went to trial for defamation.
To describe the act of spreading damaging falsehoods about someone, often orally.
An idiomatic phrase meaning 'to spread groundless rumors', which is a form of slander. Very natural in Japanese.
彼は根も葉もない噂を流して私を陥れようとした。
He tried to slander me by spreading baseless rumors.
Colloquial phrase meaning 'to spread false rumors' or 'to slander'. デマ comes from German 'Demagogie' and is widely used.
ネットでデマを飛ばすのは犯罪だ。
Slandering people online is a crime.
In English, slander is spoken defamation and libel is written. Japanese law does not always distinguish them as sharply; 名誉毀損 (meiyokison) covers both. To specify spoken, use 口頭による名誉毀損 (kōtō ni yoru meiyokison).
There is no single Japanese verb that directly translates 'to slander'. Instead, use phrases like 誹謗中傷する (hibō chūshō suru) or 悪口を言う (waruguchi o iu).