If a lie about someone is distributed in such a way that it will be read by others (eg printed in a newspaper, on the internet, and so on) it is called libel. Libel is false and malicious publication printed for the purpose of defaming (damaging) another person.
If the lie is spoken rather than published, it's called slander.
Slander
You should never have to lie to anyone...
A person paid to lie will hesitate in starting. They cannot answer you as fluently as a true person.
It makes you feel foolish (if you believed the lie), mad (that someone would even lie to you) or happy (that someone would lie to you to not hurt your feelings). It depends on the situation.
There are many reasons why someone might lie. To get out of trouble, to avoid something unpleasant (such as an outing with someone you don't like) or to make themselves sound impressive (also called bragging.) A lie can also be told to keep someone's feelings from being hurt. A lie that is seemingly unimportant and carries little weight is know as a "white lie". In extreme situations, someone might tell a lie to save their life.
Sometimes people lie to not hurt someone's feelings.
You should never lie to make someone feel better, all they want is the truth!
What usually happens when someone tells a lie is rumors are started. You get into a fight or you lose the trust of someone you love and care about.
Just be honest!
Slander
It means to lie to someone.
撒谎 (Sā huǎng) is "to lie to someone". 躺 (Tǎng) is "to lie down".