绯闻 fēiwén sex scandal
How to remember 绯闻: 绯 crimson + 闻 hear = sex scandal.
Characters
How it is used
- A romantic/sex 'scandal', usually about celebrities - 传出绯闻 (chuánchū fēiwén) rumors of a romance broke out.
- Specifically about alleged love affairs, milder and gossipier than 丑闻 (chǒuwén, a disgraceful scandal).
- Entertainment-news register; often just tabloid rumor rather than proven fact.