伝説
Meaning: Legendary or iconic — used to elevate something to mythical status in casual conversation.
Originally meaning 'legend' or 'legendary tale,' 伝説 is used in slang to describe anything so memorable it deserves to be retold for years. A concert, a speech, a sports moment, or even a night out can be 伝説. It carries a sense of historical weight — the speaker is declaring that this event or person will be remembered. Often combined with 級 (class/level) as 伝説級.
Examples
- あのライブは伝説だったよ。一生忘れない。 那场演唱会简直是传说级的。一辈子都忘不了。Ese concierto fue legendario. No lo olvidaré en la vida.그 라이브는 전설이었어. 평생 못 잊을 거야.
- 先輩の卒業式スピーチ、もはや伝説になってる。 前辈的毕业典礼演讲已经成为传说了。El discurso de graduación del senpai ya se ha convertido en leyenda.선배의 졸업식 스피치, 이미 전설이 됐어.
- このバンドの解散コンサートは伝説級だった。 这个乐队的解散演唱会是传说级别的。El concierto de despedida de este grupo fue de nivel legendario.이 밴드의 해체 콘서트는 전설급이었어.
Pronunciation
/deɴ.se.tsɯ/
Usage Guide
Context: friends, entertainment, sports, nostalgia
Tone: awed, reverent, nostalgic
✓ Do Say
- あの試合は伝説だよ、語り継がれるレベル (That match was legendary — the kind you pass down through generations)那场比赛是传说级的,会被传颂下去(那场比赛是传奇——是那种代代相传的级别)Ese partido fue legendario, del tipo que se transmite de generación en generación그 경기는 전설이야, 대대로 전해질 수준 (그 경기는 전설이야 — 대를 이어 전해질 수준이야)
- 伝説級のパフォーマンスだった (It was a legendary-tier performance)那是传说级的表演(那是一场传奇级别的演出)Fue una actuación de nivel legendario전설급 퍼포먼스였어 (전설급 퍼포먼스였어)
✗ Don't Say
- 些細なことに「伝説」は大げさすぎる (Calling trivial things 'densetsu' is too exaggerated and sounds ironic)小事说'伝説'太夸张了——会显得像在反讽Llamar 'densetsu' a cosas triviales es una exageración excesiva y suena irónico사소한 일에 '덴세츠'는 너무 과장이다 (사소한 일을 '덴세츠'라고 하면 너무 과장되어 아이러니하게 들린다)
Common Mistakes
- Overusing 伝説 for ordinary events — it should be reserved for truly memorable moments
- Not knowing the common compound 伝説級 (legendary-class) which is even more emphatic
Origin & History
Standard Japanese word meaning 'legend/legendary tale' (伝 transmit + 説 story). Casual hyperbolic usage has been common in entertainment and sports culture for decades.
Cultural Context
Era: Traditional word, casual hyperbolic usage widespread in entertainment culture
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. Common in sports commentary, music reviews, and storytelling. The phrase 伝説の〇〇 (legendary X) and 伝説級 (legendary-class) are widely used compounds.
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