شایعه
shaye'eh
The English word gossip can be translated into Persian as شایعه (shaye'eh).
شایعه is used to refer to idle talk or unverified information circulating in a community.
Meaning: idle talk (noun)
Which one should you use?
While often translated as gossip, شایعه more precisely means 'rumor' and refers to information that has not been verified.
How does it change in a sentence?
To turn the noun شایعه into the verb meaning 'to gossip' or 'to spread a rumor', you add the auxiliary verb کردن (to do) to create شایعه کردن.
How do you pronounce it?
shaye'eh
Did you know?
- Persian has a specific term خاله زنک (khale-zanak) for a person who habitually spreads شایعه and meddles in others' affairs, literally meaning 'little maternal aunt'.
- The word غیبت (backbiting) is not just a social term but is considered a serious sin in Islamic jurisprudence, making the act of gossiping a spiritual offense rather than just a social faux pas.
- The verb used to say 'to spread a rumor' is شایعه پخش کردن (shaye'eh pakhsh kardan), where پخش کردن is the same verb used for 'broadcasting' a television signal.
Examples in context
- این یک شایعه است.This is a rumor.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are talking near the office coffee machine.
- محمد Mohammadشنیدی که علی استعفا داده؟shenidi ke ali estefā dāde?Did you hear that Ali resigned?
- نیلوفر Niloufarنه، این فقط یک شایعه است.na, in faghat yek shāye'e ast.No, that is just a rumor.
- محمد Mohammadواقعاً؟ من فکر کردم درست است.vāqe'an? man fekr kardam dorost ast.Really? I thought it was true.
- نیلوفر Niloufarبیشتر به شایعهها توجه نکن.bishtar be shāye'e-hā tavajoh nakon.Don't pay much attention to rumors.
