fēiwén: 绯闻 - Scandal, Rumor (especially romantic/sexual)

• Keywords: fēiwén, feiwen, 绯闻, Chinese scandal, celebrity gossip, romantic rumor, affair rumor, Chinese entertainment news, tabloid news, 八卦 (bāguà)
• Summary: Learn the Chinese word 绯闻 (fēiwén), the essential term for a romantic or sexual scandal, especially involving celebrities. This page breaks down its meaning, cultural context in modern China's entertainment industry, and practical usage. Understand the difference between a general rumor (谣言) and the juicy, sensational gossip that is a 绯闻 (fēiwén), a must-know word for following Chinese social media and pop culture.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): fēiwén
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: A romantic or sexual rumor or scandal, particularly concerning a public figure.
• In a Nutshell: `绯闻` is not just any rumor; it's the specific type of gossip you'd find in a tabloid magazine or trending on social media. It refers to an alleged affair, a secret romance, or any sensational story about a person's love life. The word carries a strong feeling of something juicy, slightly illicit, and unconfirmed, making it a cornerstone of modern celebrity culture.

• 绯 (fēi): This character means “scarlet” or “dark red.” In this context, the color red evokes feelings of passion, romance, and sometimes, the “scarlet letter”—a mark of a social transgression or affair.
• 闻 (wén): This character means “to hear,” “news,” or a “story.” It's the same character found in `新闻 (xīnwén)`, the word for “news.”
• Combined Meaning: Together, `绯闻 (fēiwén)` literally translates to “scarlet news.” This creates a powerful and vivid image of a sensational, passionate, and potentially reputation-damaging story that is heard and spread among the public.

`绯闻` is an indispensable term for understanding modern Chinese society, where celebrity culture and social media (especially Weibo) have an enormous influence. While the West has “celebrity gossip,” the concept of `绯闻` is amplified by certain cultural values. In a society that can place a high emphasis on public image, social harmony, and “face” (`面子 (miànzi)`), a `绯闻` can be incredibly damaging to a public figure's career and reputation. It's more than just idle gossip; it's a potential public disgrace. This makes the denial or confirmation of a `绯闻` a major news event. The phenomenon is closely linked to the concept of `吃瓜群众 (chī guā qúnzhòng)`—literally the “melon-eating masses.” This popular slang term refers to the millions of netizens who passively and eagerly watch the drama of a `绯闻` unfold online, commenting and sharing as if they were watching a show. A `绯闻` is the “melon” that they “eat.”

`绯闻` is used constantly in informal contexts, especially concerning the entertainment world.

• Entertainment and Media: This is the word's natural habitat. News outlets, social media accounts, and everyday conversations use `绯闻` to discuss rumors about actors, singers, and influencers.
• `炒作 (chǎozuò)` - Hype/Publicity Stunts: Sometimes, a fake `绯闻` is intentionally created between two celebrities to “hype up” (`炒作`) a new movie, TV show, or album. This is a common marketing tactic.
• Connotation: The connotation is almost always negative or, at best, neutral in a “juicy gossip” sort of way. It implies something that is potentially shameful or at least private and sensationalized. It's not a word you would use in a positive or formal context.
• Formality: `绯闻` is highly informal. It belongs in tabloids, social media, and casual chats. A formal news report might use a more neutral phrase like `恋情曝光 (liànqíng bàoguāng)` meaning “romantic relationship exposed.”

• Example 1:
  • 最近，那个男演员的绯闻到处都是。
  • Pinyin: Zuìjìn, nàge nán yǎnyuán de fēiwén dàochù dōu shì.
  • English: Recently, that actor's scandals are everywhere.
  • Analysis: A very common and straightforward use of the word. `到处都是 (dàochù dōu shì)` means “everywhere,” emphasizing how widespread the gossip is.
• Example 2:
  • 他们俩的绯闻传了很多年，但他们一直没有承认。
  • Pinyin: Tāmen liǎ de fēiwén chuánle hěn duō nián, dàn tāmen yīzhí méiyǒu chéngrèn.
  • English: The rumors about the two of them have been circulating for years, but they have never admitted to it.
  • Analysis: This shows the ongoing nature of a `绯闻`. The verb `传 (chuán)` means “to circulate” or “to spread,” and is often used with `绯闻`.
• Example 3:
  • 他的经纪公司立刻出来澄清了那个绯闻。
  • Pinyin: Tā de jīngjì gōngsī lìkè chūlái chéngqīngle nàge fēiwén.
  • English: His management agency immediately came out to clarify that rumor.
  • Analysis: This shows the typical reaction to a damaging `绯闻`. `澄清 (chéngqīng)` means “to clarify” or “to issue a denial.”
• Example 4:
  • 你觉得他们是为了新电影在炒作绯闻吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ juéde tāmen shì wèile xīn diànyǐng zài chǎozuò fēiwén ma?
  • English: Do you think they are manufacturing a scandal to promote their new movie?
  • Analysis: This introduces the important related concept of `炒作 (chǎozuò)`, which means “to hype up” or “to generate buzz,” often through fake news or scandals.
• Example 5:
  • 这位歌手因为一连串的绯闻，人气下降了很多。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi gēshǒu yīnwèi yīliánchuàn de fēiwén, rénqì xiàjiàngle hěn duō.
  • English: This singer's popularity has dropped a lot because of a series of scandals.
  • Analysis: This highlights the negative consequences of a `绯闻`. `人气 (rénqì)` means “popularity” (literally “person-energy”).
• Example 6:
  • 我对明星的绯闻一点儿也不感兴趣。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ duì míngxīng de fēiwén yīdiǎnr yě bù gǎn xìngqù.
  • English: I'm not the least bit interested in celebrity gossip.
  • Analysis: A good sentence for expressing personal opinion. The structure `对…不感兴趣 (duì…bù gǎn xìngqù)` is a common way to say “to not be interested in…”
• Example 7:
  • 媒体爆出了市长和他的秘书之间的绯闻。
  • Pinyin: Méitǐ bàochūle shìzhǎng hé tā de mìshū zhījiān de fēiwén.
  • English: The media exposed the scandal between the mayor and his secretary.
  • Analysis: Shows that `绯闻` can apply to figures outside of entertainment, like politicians, but the meaning remains a romantic/sexual scandal. `爆出 (bàochū)` means “to expose” or “to break (a story).”
• Example 8:
  • 这个绯闻完全是假的，是狗仔队编造的。
  • Pinyin: Zhège fēiwén wánquán shì jiǎ de, shì gǒuzǎiduì biānzào de.
  • English: This scandal is completely fake; it was fabricated by the paparazzi.
  • Analysis: Introduces `狗仔队 (gǒuzǎiduì)`, the Chinese word for “paparazzi.” `编造 (biānzào)` means “to fabricate” or “to make up.”
• Example 9:
  • 自从他们合作后，关于他们的绯闻就没断过。
  • Pinyin: Zìcóng tāmen hézuò hòu, guānyú tāmen de fēiwén jiù méi duàn guo.
  • English: Ever since they collaborated, the rumors about them have never stopped.
  • Analysis: `没断过 (méi duàn guo)` is a vivid way to say “has never been broken” or “has been continuous.” It emphasizes the persistence of the gossip.
• Example 10:
  • 她是个实力派演员，从不靠绯闻来提高知名度。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì ge shílìpài yǎnyuán, cóngbù kào fēiwén lái tígāo zhīmíngdù.
  • English: She is a serious actor (lit. “strength-faction actor”) who never relies on scandals to raise her profile.
  • Analysis: This sentence contrasts a “serious” or talented artist (`实力派`) with those who use scandals (`绯闻`) to gain fame (`知名度 zhīmíngdù`).

• `绯闻 (fēiwén)` vs. `谣言 (yáoyán)`: This is the most common point of confusion.
  • `谣言 (yáoyán)` means “rumor” in a general sense. It can be about anything: a company's financial trouble, a policy change, a health scare, etc.
  • `绯闻 (fēiwén)` is specifically a romantic or sexual rumor.
  • Incorrect: 这个公司有破产的绯闻。 (Zhège gōngsī yǒu pòchǎn de fēiwén.) - “The company has a bankruptcy scandal.”
  • Correct: 这个公司有破产的谣言。 (Zhège gōngsī yǒu pòchǎn de yáoyán.) - “There are rumors of the company's bankruptcy.”
• `绯闻 (fēiwén)` vs. `丑闻 (chǒuwén)`: This is another crucial distinction.
  • `丑闻 (chǒuwén)` means “scandal” in a broad and serious sense, covering financial, political, academic, or ethical wrongdoing. It literally means “ugly news” and is always very negative. An affair can be a `丑闻`, but a financial crime cannot be a `绯闻`.
  • `绯闻` is limited to the romantic/sexual sphere and can sometimes be seen as trivial gossip.
  • Incorrect: 那个官员的贪污绯闻震惊了全国。 (Nàge guānyuán de tānwū fēiwén zhènjīngle quánguó.) - “The official's corruption *feiwen* shocked the nation.”
  • Correct: 那个官员的贪污丑闻震惊了全国。 (Nàge guānyuán de tānwū chǒuwén zhènjīngle quánguó.) - “The official's corruption scandal shocked the nation.”

• 丑闻 (chǒuwén) - The general word for “scandal” (e.g., financial, political). `绯闻` is a type of `丑闻`, but one focused on romance.
• 八卦 (bāguà) - “Gossip” or “to gossip.” This is the general activity, while `绯闻` is a specific piece of gossip content.
• 谣言 (yáoyán) - A “rumor” about any topic, not just romantic ones.
• 狗仔队 (gǒuzǎiduì) - “Paparazzi,” the photographers and reporters who chase celebrities to uncover `绯闻`.
• 炒作 (chǎozuò) - “To hype up” or “to create publicity,” often by manufacturing a fake `绯闻`.
• 出轨 (chūguǐ) - “To cheat” (in a relationship); “to have an affair.” This is the action that often leads to a `绯闻`.
• 吃瓜群众 (chī guā qúnzhòng) - The “melon-eating masses”; a slang term for the online audience that passively consumes celebrity drama and `绯闻`.
• 澄清 (chéngqīng) - “To clarify” or “to clear one's name.” This is the act of officially denying a `绯闻`.
• 明星 (míngxīng) - “Celebrity” or “star,” the most common subject of a `绯闻`.
• 曝光 (bàoguāng) - “To expose” or “to bring to light.” A `绯闻` is often `曝光` by the media.