Definition
妖言 is a noun that refers to false, misleading, or dangerous speech — rumors or doctrines that are seen as harmful to society or public order. It's a formal, literary term often found in historical or political contexts, such as the phrase 妖言惑众 ('to delude the masses with heresy'). Unlike the English word 'legend' or 'fable', 妖言 carries a strong negative connotation of deliberate deception, not neutral folklore.
n.
heresyfalse and harmful speechfallacymisleading doctrine
Examples
- 妖言。Gǔdài tǒngzhìzhě cháng bǎ fǎnduì tāmen de yánlùn chēng wéi yāo yán.Ancient rulers often labeled opposing speech as heresy.
- 妖言,。Tā sànbù yāo yán, míhuò le bùshǎo rén.He spread fallacies and deluded quite a few people.
- 妖言。Lìshǐ shàng hěnduō yāo yán dōu bèi yòng lái shāndòng mínzhòng.In history, many heresies were used to incite the masses.
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