Definition
闲言闲语 is a four-character idiom meaning 'gossip' or 'idle talk' — often negative talk about someone behind their back. The literal reading 'idle words, idle language' doesn't capture the critical tone: it implies unverified or malicious rumors spreading in a community. You can use it as an object of verbs like 听信 (believe), 说 (spread), or 在意 (care about).
f.e.
gossipidle talkrumors (often malicious)
Examples
- 闲言闲语，。Bú yào tīngxìn biérén de xián yán xián yǔ, yào xiāngxìn zìjǐ de pànduàn.Don't believe the gossip from others; trust your own judgment.
- 闲言闲语，。Gōngsī lǐ zuìjìn yǒu hěnduō xián yán xián yǔ, zuìhǎo bié cānyù tǎolùn.There's been a lot of gossip at the company lately; better not join the discussion.
- 闲言闲语，。Tā duì zhèxiē xián yán xián yǔ gēnběn bú zàiyì, jìxù zuò zìjǐ de shì.She doesn't care about the gossip at all and just keeps doing her own thing.
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