How to say "gossip" in Japanese

• 風評ふうひょうCommon
  nounRumor or gossip circulating about a person, company, or affair, typically with a negative effect on reputation — talk that spreads through the community rather than friendly chat.
• ゴシップCommon
  nounThe loanword for gossip, especially about the private lives of celebrities and public figures — the kind of talk found in gossip magazines and shows; not the word for rumor in general.
• 世間話せけんばなしCommon
  nounGossip in the harmless sense: casual chat and small talk about everyday life, neighbors, and what people have been up to; it carries no suggestion of damaging rumor.
  世間せけん話はなしをしなくてもいいからね。↗

  You don't have to chat with them.
• 下馬評げばひょうCommon
  nounGossip in the sense of speculation about an undecided outcome — the talk circulating before an election or contest about who is likely to win; not chat about people's private lives.
• 噂うわさJLPT N3approx.Common
  suru verb, no-adjectiveThe general word for rumor and hearsay, also used for gossip about people's private lives; when you just mean that people are talking, this is the word to reach for.
  うわさは四方しほう八方はっぽうに広ひろがった。↗

  The rumor spread far and wide.

Use 噂 for rumor and gossip in general, 「ゴシップ」 for celebrity gossip, 世間話 for harmless small talk, 風評 for talk circulating about someone's reputation, and 下馬評 for speculation about an undecided outcome.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 風評ふうひょうrumor
• ゴシップgossip
• 世間話せけんばなしsmall talk
• 下馬評げばひょうrumor
• 噂うわさrumour
• おしゃべりchattering
• 噂話うわさばなしgossip
• 口端くちはgossip
• 余聞よぶんgossip
• 金棒引きかなぼうひきgossip
• 空談くうだんgossip
• 巷説こうせつgossip
• 口の端くちのはgossip
• 怪情報かいじょうほうgossip
• 無駄話むだばなしidle talk
• 話し好きはなしずきtalkative person
• 風説ふうせつrumor
• 飛語ひごbaseless rumor
• 悪舌あくぜつevil tongue
• 巷談こうだんrumour
• 俗話ぞくわsmall talk
• 珍談ちんだんfunny story
• 世間の口せけんのくちwhat people say
• 余話よわanecdote
• 取りざたとりざたtalk (of the town)
• 説せつrumour
• 雑音ざつおんgossip
• 茶飲み話ちゃのみばなしgossip