美談(びだん)

びだん
noun
moving story, heartwarming tale
communicationculture
1. moving story, heartwarming tale, edifying anecdote
A story about someone's admirable, virtuous, or selfless behavior that inspires or moves others. Can sometimes carry an ironic nuance, suggesting the story is overly idealized.
彼(かれ)の行動(こうどう)は美談(びだん)として語(かた)られている。
His actions are told as a heartwarming story.
ニュースで感動的(かんどうてき)な美談(びだん)が紹介(しょうかい)された。
A moving story was featured on the news.
戦争(せんそう)を美談(びだん)に仕立(した)てるべきではないという意見(いけん)もある。
There are also opinions that war should not be turned into an edifying tale.

Usage

Often used in news media for stories of human kindness or bravery. However, it can also be used critically — implying that a situation is being presented in an overly positive light to hide its true complexity. The phrase 美談(びだん)に仕立(した)てる (to turn into a heartwarming story) often carries this critical nuance.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 逸話(いつわ): anecdote — neutral, can be any interesting story
  • 美談(びだん): specifically a story of virtue or admirable behavior

Related Words

Compare: 逸話(いつわ) (anecdote)
general
Added 2026.3.18 8:18 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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