語り継ぐ
かたりつぐ
verb (godan)
to pass down (a story) by word of mouth; to hand down orally
Conjugation
| Affirmative | Negative | |
|---|---|---|
| Present | 語り継ぐ | 語り継がない |
| Present polite | 語り継ぎます | 語り継ぎません |
| Past | 語り継いだ | 語り継がなかった |
| Past polite | 語り継ぎました | 語り継ぎませんでした |
| て form | 語り継いで | 語り継がなくて |
| ている present | 語り継いでいる | 語り継いでいない |
| ている polite | 語り継いでいます | 語り継いでいません |
| ている past | 語り継いでいた | 語り継いでいなかった |
| ている past polite | 語り継いでいました | 語り継いでいませんでした |
| Conditional ば | 語り継げば | 語り継がなければ |
| Conditional たら | 語り継いだら | 語り継がなかったら |
| Volitional | 語り継ごう | — |
| Volitional polite | 語り継ぎましょう | — |
| Potential | 語り継げる | 語り継げない |
| Passive | 語り継がれる | 語り継がれない |
| Causative | 語り継がせる | 語り継がせない |
| Imperative | 語り継げ | 語り継ぐな |
1.
to pass down by word of mouth; to hand down orally through generations
To transmit stories, legends, history, or traditions by telling them from one generation to the next. Emphasizes the oral nature of the transmission.
A compound verb formed from 語る (to tell/narrate) + 継ぐ (to succeed/carry on). The 継ぐ component adds the meaning of continuation across time or generations. Often used in the passive form 語り継がれる to emphasize that something has been passed down.
Common collocations
- 語り継がれる伝説: a legend passed down through generations
- 後世に語り継ぐ: to pass down to posterity
- 次の世代に語り継ぐ: to pass on to the next generation
- 語り継がれてきた歴史: history that has been handed down orally
Usage
Frequently appears in contexts about cultural heritage, war memories, folklore, and traditions. The passive form 語り継がれる is particularly common. Carries a somewhat literary or elevated tone.
Similar words
- 伝える: to convey/transmit — more general, not limited to oral tradition
- 言い伝える: to pass on by word of mouth — similar but less literary
Related Words
Compare:
伝える (to convey/transmit)