伝説(でんせつ)

でんせつ
noun
legend
culture
1. legend, folklore, tradition
A story handed down through generations, often involving historical figures or places but embellished with supernatural or extraordinary elements.
この湖(みずうみ)には伝説(でんせつ)がある。
There is a legend about this lake.
地元(じもと)に伝(つた)わる伝説(でんせつ)を調(しら)べた。
I researched legends passed down in the local area.
竜(りゅう)が住(す)んでいたという伝説(でんせつ)が残(のこ)っている。
A legend remains that a dragon once lived there.
2. legendary (person or thing)
Used attributively to describe someone or something so remarkable as to be spoken of like a legend. Often used in pop culture and sports.
伝説(でんせつ)の選手(せんしゅ)だ。
A legendary athlete.
あのバンドは伝説(でんせつ)になった。
That band became a legend.
彼(かれ)の活躍(かつやく)はもはや伝説(でんせつ)的(てき)だ。
His achievements are nothing short of legendary.

Common collocations

Similar words: 神話(しんわ) (myth) involves gods and creation stories, while 伝説(でんせつ) (legend) is usually tied to specific places, people, or historical events and is more grounded in the real world.

Related Words

Related: 史実(しじつ) (historical fact)
Related: 異聞(いぶん) (strange tale)
Compare: 民話(みんわ) (folk tale)
general
Added 2026.2.16 19:57 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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