谗言 (chán yán) — slander, calumny; slanderous words spoken to a superior to harm someone
Definition
Slander deliberately spoken to a superior (a ruler, boss, parent) to damage someone they should protect — not just any false accusation. Often paired with 进/听信 in classical-leaning contexts.
noun
slandercalumnyslanderous words spoken to a superior to harm someone
Examples
- 谗言，。Huáng dì tīng xìn le jiān chén de chán yán, bǎ zhōng chén shā le.The emperor believed the treacherous minister's slander and killed the loyal official.
- ，谗言。Zài gōng zuò zhōng, yào xiǎo xīn nà xiē bié yǒu yòng xīn de rén sàn bù chán yán.At work, be careful of people with ulterior motives spreading slander.
- 谗言。Lì shǐ shàng yǒu xǔ duō míng rén yīn chán yán ér méng yuān.In history, many famous people were wronged because of slander.
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