zàoyáo: 造谣 - To Start a Rumor, To Fabricate a Lie

Keywords: zaoyao, zàoyáo, 造谣, start a rumor in Chinese, fabricate a lie, spread rumors, Chinese word for fake news, disinformation, defamation in Chinese, Chinese law on rumors

Summary: Learn the powerful Chinese verb 造谣 (zàoyáo), which means to deliberately create and spread a false rumor or fabricated story. More than just simple gossip, 造谣 implies a malicious act of manufacturing lies and is treated as a serious social and even criminal offense in China, often linked to the concept of “fake news” or disinformation. This page explores its cultural significance, legal implications, and practical use in modern conversation and on the internet.

Pinyin (with tone marks): zàoyáo

Part of Speech: Verb (specifically, a verb-object compound)

HSK Level: HSK 6

Concise Definition: To create and spread a false rumor or fabricated story with malicious intent.

In a Nutshell: 造谣 (zàoyáo) is a strong, negative term that goes far beyond idle gossip. It describes the act of being “patient zero” for a harmful lie. Think of it as manufacturing a falsehood from thin air with the specific goal of deceiving people or damaging someone's reputation. It is an active, deliberate, and serious accusation.

造 (zào): To create, to make, to build, or to fabricate. Imagine building something from raw materials—in this case, building a lie.

谣 (yáo): Rumor or an unsubstantiated story. The left part of the character, 言 (yán), is the radical for “speech,” indicating this word is related to something spoken or communicated.

Together, 造谣 (zàoyáo) literally translates to “to fabricate a rumor.” The combination emphasizes the act of creation, highlighting that the person isn't just passing along a story they heard, but is the original author of the lie.

In Chinese culture, maintaining social harmony and stability (社会稳定, shèhuì wěndìng) is a paramount value. 造谣 (zàoyáo) is seen as a direct threat to this stability because false rumors can cause public panic, social unrest, or damage to reputations, disrupting the collective order.

Comparison with “Slander/Libel”: While 造谣 has similarities to the Western legal concepts of slander (spoken) and libel (written), there's a key difference in focus. In the West, slander is primarily a civil issue between two parties, concerning damage to an individual's reputation. In China, while that aspect exists, 造谣 can escalate into a criminal offense against public security. If a rumor is viewed or shared a certain number of times online (e.g., 5,000 views or 500 reposts) and is deemed disruptive, the creator can face jail time. This reflects a state-level concern for information control and preventing social panic, a much broader scope than individual-vs-individual defamation.

On the Internet: This term is rampant on Chinese social media platforms like Weibo. Users frequently accuse others of 造谣 to discredit their claims. The government also uses it officially to label what it considers “fake news” or harmful online content. You will often see official slogans like “不信谣，不传谣 (bù xìn yáo, bù chuán yáo)” – “Don't believe rumors, don't spread rumors.”

Legal Context: 造谣 (zàoyáo) is a legal term. A person can be charged with the crime of 造谣诽谤 (zàoyáo fěibàng), or “fabricating rumors and slander.” News reports about someone being detained for online activities will almost always use this term.

Connotation and Formality: The connotation is exclusively negative and carries a heavy weight. It is a serious accusation. It can be used in both formal contexts (legal documents, news reports) and informal ones (arguments online or between individuals), but it's never a light-hearted word.

`造谣 (zàoyáo)` vs. “Gossip” (闲话, xiánhuà): Do not use 造谣 for light, everyday gossip. 造谣 implies a serious, fabricated lie with intent to harm. Gossip (闲话) can be trivial, harmless, and sometimes even true. Accusing someone of 造谣 is a major escalation compared to accusing them of gossiping.

传谣 (chuányáo) - To spread a rumor. The act that follows 造谣.

辟谣 (pìyáo) - To refute a rumor; to debunk. The direct antonym of creating/spreading rumors.

谣言 (yáoyán) - A rumor (noun). This is the product created by the verb 造谣.

诽谤 (fěibàng) - Slander; defamation. A more formal and legalistic term, often paired with 造谣.

假新闻 (jiǎ xīnwén) - Fake news. The modern term for the type of information produced by 造谣 on a large scale.

无中生有 (wú zhōng shēng yǒu) - A chengyu (idiom) meaning “to create something from nothing.” It perfectly describes the essence of 造谣.

流言蜚语 (liúyán fēiyǔ) - A chengyu for “rumors and slanderous gossip.” It's a more literary way to describe the general atmosphere of rumors.

社会稳定 (shèhuì wěndìng) - Social stability. The core cultural value that the act of 造谣 is considered a threat to in China.