言い伝え

• Reading: いいつたえ
• Romaji: iitsutae
• Kanji breakdown: 言 (gen/i) — say, word; 伝 (den/tsuta) — transmit, convey, pass on
• Pronunciation: /iː.tsɯ.ta.e/

Meaning

Oral tradition; legend; folklore; something handed down through generations by word of mouth.

A noun describing stories, beliefs, warnings, or customs passed down orally across generations. Similar in meaning to 伝説 (legend) but more specifically emphasises the oral transmission process itself. Often used for local legends, superstitions, or practical wisdom that exists in spoken rather than written form. Common in the phrase 〜という言い伝えがある (there is a tradition that says...).

Examples

1. この山には古い言い伝えがあって、夜に登ってはいけないとされている。 There is an old legend about this mountain — it is said you must never climb it at night.
2. 地元の言い伝えによると、この泉の水を飲むと長生きできるそうだ。 According to local oral tradition, drinking the water from this spring will grant you a long life.
3. 祖母から聞いた言い伝えが、今でも私の行動指針になっている。 The folk wisdom my grandmother passed down still guides my actions today.

Usage Guide

Context: folklore, culture, tradition, history

Tone: narrative

Origin & History

言い (to say, speech) + 伝え (transmission, passing on — from 伝える 'to transmit/convey'). The compound literally means 'words passed on,' emphasising the oral chain of transmission across generations.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient-Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: General