rumor
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rumor
A piece of information or a story whose truth has not been confirmed and that is passed on from person to person.
Es geht das Gerücht um, dass die Firma bald Mitarbeiter entlassen wird.
There is a rumor going around that the company will soon lay off employees.
There are fixed expressions for the spreading of rumors. Very common ones are: 'es geht das Gerücht um' (there is a rumor going around), 'ein Gerücht in die Welt setzen' (to start/spread a rumor), or 'einem Gerücht Glauben schenken' (to give credence to a rumor).
Setz bitte keine falschen Gerüchte in die Welt!
Please don't spread false rumors!
The content of a rumor is very often introduced with a subordinate clause that begins with 'dass' (that). Alternatively, you can also use the preposition 'über' (about) + accusative.
Es gibt ein Gerücht, dass die Firma verkauft werden soll.
There is a rumor that the company is going to be sold.
Rumors are often described with certain adjectives. Common combinations are 'ein falsches Gerücht' (a false rumor), 'ein hartnäckiges Gerücht' (a persistent rumor; one that does not go away), or 'wilde Gerüchte' (wild rumors; uncontrolled speculation).
Das war nur ein böses Gerücht, um ihr zu schaden.
That was just a malicious rumor meant to harm her.
claim / assertion
A Behauptung is a statement that someone presents as true, even when proof may be lacking. A Gerücht is also unconfirmed, but it is passed from person to person. Use Behauptung for a statement's claim to truth and Gerücht for its spread.
Das Gerücht, die Firma werde verkauft, verbreitet sich unter den Mitarbeitern.
The rumor that the company would be sold is spreading among the employees.
Die Behauptung, die Firma werde verkauft, stammt von ihrem Geschäftsführer.
The claim that the company would be sold came from its managing director.
