gossip
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- 1 gossip、negative talk、subject of gossip
This word refers to gossip or negative talk about someone, especially when a person becomes the subject of other people’s criticism or ridicule. It feels stronger and more unpleasant than a neutral “rumor.”
gossip、negative talk、subject of gossip
Negative gossip or idle talk about someone, especially the state of being talked about badly by others.
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ตกเป็นขี้ปากชาวบ้าน tòk pen khîi pàak chaaw bâan to become the subject of neighborhood gossip ตกเป็นขี้ปากชาวบ้าน details
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อย่าไปสนใจขี้ปากคน yàa pay sǒncay khîi pàak khon Don’t pay attention to people’s gossip. อย่าไปสนใจขี้ปากคน details
Learning notes
Explanation
ขี้ปาก is built from ขี้, which can imply something dirty or worthless, and ปาก, “mouth.” In actual use, it means unpleasant gossip, backbiting, or becoming the target of people’s negative talk. Common patterns include ตกเป็นขี้ปาก... “to become the subject of gossip” and เป็นขี้ปากคนอื่น “to be talked about by others.”
Usage
It is used in everyday conversation when talking about situations that may attract gossip, such as family issues, workplace trouble, scandals, mistakes, or anything that could damage someone’s reputation.
Caution
Because it contains ขี้, it is not a refined expression. Avoid it in formal settings or polite speech with superiors; use ข่าวลือ for a more neutral “rumor.”
Differences from similar words
1 gossip synonyms
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ข่าวลือ means a rumor or unverified information in a more neutral way. ขี้ปาก carries a stronger sense of being talked about negatively, mocked, or socially embarrassed.