昔話(むかしばなし)

むかしばなし
noun
folktale, old story
1. folktale, fairy tale, folk story
A traditional story passed down through generations, typically beginning with むかしむかし (once upon a time). Includes tales like 桃太郎, かぐや姫, and 浦島太郎.
子供(こども)に昔話(むかしばなし)を読(よ)み聞(き)かせた。
I read a folktale aloud to the child.
日本(にほん)の昔話(むかしばなし)には動物(どうぶつ)が多(おお)く登場(とうじょう)する。
Animals appear frequently in Japanese folktales.
おばあちゃんに昔話(むかしばなし)をせがむのが楽(たの)しみだった。
I used to look forward to begging my grandmother to tell me folktales.
2. reminiscence, talk about the old days
Conversation about past experiences or memories, especially nostalgic recollections among people who share a history.
同窓会(どうそうかい)で昔話(むかしばなし)に花(はな)が咲(さ)いた。
At the reunion, we had a great time reminiscing about the old days.
昔話(むかしばなし)はもういいよ。
Enough with the old stories already.
久(ひさ)しぶりに会(あ)った友人(ゆうじん)と昔話(むかしばなし)に時間(じかん)を忘(わす)れた。
I lost track of time reminiscing with a friend I hadn't seen in a while.

USAGE:
Sense 1 refers to traditional folk narratives, which typically open with 昔(むかし)昔(むかし)、あるところに... (once upon a time, in a certain place...). Japanese folktales (日本(にほん)昔話(むかしばなし)) are an important part of cultural literacy.

Sense 2 is casual — sharing old memories with friends or family.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 昔話(むかしばなし)を語(かた)る: to tell a folktale; to reminisce
  • 昔話(むかしばなし)に花(はな)が咲(さ)く: to have a lively time reminiscing
  • 日本(にほん)の昔話(むかしばなし): Japanese folktales

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 民話(みんわ): folk tale (more academic term)
  • 伝説(でんせつ): legend (typically about a specific place or person)
  • 童話(どうわ): children's story, fairy tale (broader, includes authored tales)
general
Added 2026.2.22 15:22
12500/12718_mukashibanashi