故事(こじ)

こじ
noun
historical anecdote, old story, legend
languageculture
1. historical anecdote, old story, classical tale
A story or anecdote from ancient times, particularly from Chinese classics, that has been passed down and often serves as the origin of a proverb or set phrase.
この言葉(ことば)には故事(こじ)がある。
There is a historical anecdote behind this phrase.
故事(こじ)成語(せいご)を使(つか)って文章(ぶんしょう)を書(か)く。
To write using classical four-character idioms.
中国(ちゅうごく)の古典(こてん)に由来(ゆらい)する故事(こじ)は、日本語(にほんご)のことわざにも多(おお)く残(のこ)っている。
Many historical anecdotes originating from Chinese classics remain in Japanese proverbs.

Usage

Often appears in the compound 故事(こじ)成語(せいご) (classical idiom based on a historical anecdote) or 故事(こじ)来歴(らいれき) (history and origin). Many 故事(こじ)成語(せいご) in Japanese come from Chinese classical literature, such as 矛盾(むじゅん) (contradiction) and 五十歩百歩(ごじっぽひゃっぽ) (pot calling the kettle black).

Common collocations

Watch out

Not to be confused with 誇示(こじ) (display, showing off), which shares the same reading.

Related Words

Homophone: 誇示(こじ) (display, showing off)
Compare: 典故(てんこ) (classical allusion)
general
Added 2026.2.23 8:06 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
12500/12944_koji