传言 chuányán rumor
rumor; hearsay
How to remember 传言: 传 to pass on + 言 words = rumor.
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How it is used
- A rumor / word going around - 有传言说公司要裁员 (yǒu chuányán shuō gōngsī yào cáiyuán) there's a rumor the company will lay people off.
- Both noun (a rumor) and verb (it is rumored). Neutral about truth, unlike a deliberate falsehood.
- Near-synonym 谣言 (yáoyán) implies a false, malicious rumor; 传言 is just unverified talk that's circulating.