言(い)い伝(つた)え

いいつたえ
noun
legend, tradition, folklore
communication
1. legend, oral tradition, folklore, lore
A story or piece of knowledge that has been passed down orally from generation to generation. Often refers to local legends, folk tales, or traditional beliefs about places, people, or events.
この村(むら)には古(ふる)い言(い)い伝(つた)えがある。
This village has an old legend.
言(い)い伝(つた)えによると、この山(やま)には神(かみ)が住(す)んでいる。
According to legend, a god lives in this mountain.
祖母(そぼ)から聞(き)いた言(い)い伝(つた)えを、今度(こんど)は自分(じぶん)の子供(こども)に伝(つた)えたい。
I want to pass on the stories I heard from my grandmother to my own children.

Usage

言(い)い伝(つた)え emphasizes that the story has been passed down orally, distinguishing it from written records. Compare with 伝説(でんせつ) (legend), which is more formal and can refer to famous legends known widely, while 言(い)い伝(つた)え often refers to local or family oral traditions.

Common collocations

Related Words

Synonym: 伝説(でんせつ) (legend (formal, widely known))
Compare: 口伝(くちづた)え (word of mouth)
Compare: 口伝(くでん) (oral tradition)
general
Added 2026.2.28 10:22 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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