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March 24, 2026
谣言(謠言)yáoyán(yao2yan2)
谣言 refers to a rumor or unverified information that is spread among people, often without a reliable source. It is commonly used in contexts involving gossip, misinformation, or public discourse, especially in media discussions about false news.
Frequency#4913DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In contemporary Chinese society, the concept of 谣言 has become particularly significant with the rise of social media, where false information can spread rapidly, impacting public opinion and trust.
Memory Tip
Think of 谣 (yáo) as 'yowl'—like a cat yowling out rumors. The character 言 (yán) means 'speech,' so you can imagine a cat yowling out unverified words. Together, they depict the act of spreading unfounded speech.
Meanings of 谣言
yáoyán(yao2yan2)
1rumor
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 谣言
谣言Simplified
謠言Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#4913Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 谣言
Podcast: 谣言
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AI Study Notes for 谣言
Quick Contrast
谣言 (rumor) vs 假消息 (false news) — use 谣言 for unverified information spread informally, while 假消息 refers specifically to false information presented as news.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 谣 (yáo) as 'yowl'—like a cat yowling out rumors. The character 言 (yán) means 'speech,' so you can imagine a cat yowling out unverified words. Together, they depict the act of spreading unfounded speech.
Usage Notes
Be cautious when using 谣言 in formal contexts, as it carries a negative connotation suggesting deceit or misinformation. Common collocations include '传播谣言' (spread rumors) and '揭穿谣言' (expose rumors). Pay attention to the tones to avoid confusion with similar words.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 谣言 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to communication and media. Focus on how it appears in discussions about social phenomena or news events, and practice using it in sentences that critique misinformation.
Cultural Note
In contemporary Chinese society, the concept of 谣言 has become particularly significant with the rise of social media, where false information can spread rapidly, impacting public opinion and trust.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 谣言 with gossip (闲聊, xiánliáo), as both involve informal communication, but 谣言 has a negative connotation. For example, saying '我听到一个闲聊' (I heard a gossip) instead of '我听到一个谣言' when referring to false information can be misleading.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 谣言
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Grammar Patterns of 谣言
谣言 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
有关财务丑闻的____接连不断地冒出来。
Rumours of financial scandals have come bubbling back to the surface.
Example Sentences for 谣言 (10)
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1
有关财务丑闻的谣言接连不断地冒出来。
yǒu guān cái wù chǒu wén de yáo yán jiē lián bù duàn dì mào chū lái。
Rumours of financial scandals have come bubbling back to the surface.
2
我们的目的是要彻底击破围绕他的那些谣言。
wǒ mén de mù de shì yào chè dǐ jī pò wéi rào tā de nà xiē yáo yán。
Our intention was to demolish the rumours that have surrounded him.
3
关于这件事正有一则恶意的谣言在流传。
guān yú zhè jiàn shì zhèng yǒu yī zé è yì de yáo yán zài liú chuán。
There's a nasty sort of rumour going around about it.
4
他承认道听途说会引发谣言和辟谣。
tā chéng rèn dào tīng tú shuō huì yǐn fā yáo yán hé bì yáo。
He conceded that second-hand accounts are leading to rumour and counter-rumour.
5
我们对这些子虚乌有的谣言从何而来很感兴趣。
wǒ mén duì zhè xiē zǐ xū wū yǒu de yáo yán cóng hé ér lái hěn gǎn xīng qù。
We're interested in the source of these fictitious rumours.
6
夫妻两人对他们婚姻出现问题的谣言一笑置之。
fū qī liǎng rén duì tā mén hūn yīn chū xiàn wèn tí de yáo yán yī xiào zhì zhī。
The couple laughed off rumours that their marriage was in trouble.
I know it's bandied about, but I think it's only a rumour.
Cultural Notes for 谣言
🏮Cultural insight
In contemporary Chinese society, the concept of 谣言 has become particularly significant with the rise of social media, where false information can spread rapidly, impacting public opinion and trust.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, rumors are also prevalent, but there is often a stronger emphasis on fact-checking and accountability in media compared to the rapid spread of unverified information in Chinese social contexts.
Frequently Asked Questions about 谣言
While both can mean rumors, 传闻 (chuánwén) often implies hearsay that may have some basis, whereas 谣言 usually indicates more baseless or malicious gossip.
It's better to avoid using 谣言 in formal contexts unless discussing misinformation specifically, as it may undermine credibility.
The opposite would be true information or facts, which can be expressed as '事实' (shìshí) in Mandarin.
