物語る

• Reading: ものがたる
• Romaji: monogataru
• Kanji breakdown: 物 (mono/butsu) — thing, matter; 語 (kataru/go) — to tell, to speak, language
• Pronunciation: /mo.no.ɡa.ta.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To tell a story; to narrate; to indicate or reveal something. Used both for literal storytelling and metaphorically when something speaks to or demonstrates a deeper truth.

A Group 1 (godan) verb that can be used literally for the act of narrating or telling a tale, or metaphorically to mean that something reveals or speaks to a truth — for example, 数字が物語る (the numbers tell the story). The metaphorical usage is very common in formal writing, journalism, and academic prose. The word is derived from the noun 物語 (monogatari, narrative/tale) with an active verb ending, giving it the sense of actively bearing witness to a truth.

Examples

1. 廃墟となった街並みが、かつての繁栄と悲劇を静かに物語っている。 The ruined streets quietly tell the story of the town's former prosperity and tragedy.
2. その表情がすべてを物語るように、彼は深く頭を垂れた。 As if his expression said everything, he bowed his head deeply.
3. 統計データが現代の教育格差を如実に物語っていた。 The statistical data vividly told the story of the contemporary educational divide.

Usage Guide

Context: writing, journalism, academic prose, literary criticism

Tone: literary, evocative

Origin & History

Derived from the noun 物語 (monogatari), meaning tale or narrative, itself from 物 (mono, thing/matter) and 語り (katari, narration). Adding the godan verb ending creates an active verb meaning to narrate or to speak of something through one's existence.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical-Modern

Generation: Adult

Social background: Universal