物語(ものがたり)

ものがたり
noun
tale, story
literarymedia
1. tale, story, legend
A narrative, especially a traditional or fictional one.
物語(ものがたり)を読(よ)む。
To read a story.
この物語(ものがたり)はとても面白(おもしろ)い。
This story is very interesting.
子供(こども)に寝(ね)る前(まえ)に物語(ものがたり)を読(よ)んであげた。
I read a story to the child before bed.
この映画(えいが)は実話(じつわ)に基(もと)づいた感動(かんどう)的(てき)な物語(ものがたり)だ。
This movie is a moving story based on a true story.
『源氏(げんじ)物語(ものがたり)』は千年(せんねん)以上(いじょう)前(まえ)に書(か)かれた作品(さくひん)だが、今(いま)でも多(おお)くの人(ひと)に読(よ)まれている。
The Tale of Genji was written over a thousand years ago, but it is still read by many people today.

物語(ものがたり) means a tale, story, or narrative. It has a literary and somewhat elevated tone compared to 話(はなし) (story, talk).

Etymology

物(もの) (thing) + 語(かた)り (telling), from the verb 語(かた)る (to tell, to narrate).

Cultural note

See also: ストーリー (story, narrative — loanword)

Related Words

Compare: 話(はなし) (story (everyday))
Compare: ストーリー (story, plot (modern/media))
Related: 語(かた)る (to tell, to narrate)
core
Added 2026.1.13 1:58 · Revised 2026.10.7 4:57
03500/03634_monogatari