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March 24, 2026
传说(傳說)chuánshuō(chuan2shuo1)
传说 (chuánshuō) refers to a story or narrative that is passed down through generations, often embodying cultural beliefs, historical events, or moral lessons. It is commonly used to describe folklore or myths that are widely known within a community, and can also imply something that is said to be true but may not be verified.
Frequency#2852DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 传说 plays a significant role in preserving history and moral values, often seen in traditional festivals where tales from ancient times are recounted, such as the Dragon Boat Festival's story of Qu Yuan.
Memory Tip
Think of 传 (chuán) as a 'river' flowing with stories, while 说 (shuō) is like 'telling' those stories. Imagine a storyteller by the riverside, sharing legends with listeners, which helps you remember the meaning and pronunciation.
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AI Study Notes for 传说
Quick Contrast
神话 (shénhuà) - use 传说 for stories that are more culturally specific or based on real historical events, while 神话 typically refers to myths that explain the origins of the world or deities.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 传 (chuán) as a 'river' flowing with stories, while 说 (shuō) is like 'telling' those stories. Imagine a storyteller by the riverside, sharing legends with listeners, which helps you remember the meaning and pronunciation.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the context in which you use 传说, as it can imply both the act of storytelling and the content of the stories themselves. It is often used in informal settings to share popular tales, but can also appear in literary contexts. Common collocations include 传说中的 (legendary) and 流传的传说 (popular legends).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 传说 connects with other vocabulary related to culture and storytelling, such as 故事 (gùshì, story) and 民间 (mínjiān, folk). Focus on understanding how 传说 can be used to convey both cultural narratives and common sayings in conversations.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 传说 plays a significant role in preserving history and moral values, often seen in traditional festivals where tales from ancient times are recounted, such as the Dragon Boat Festival's story of Qu Yuan.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 传说 with 传记 (biography), which refers to actual life stories. Remember that 传说 is about legends and folklore, not factual life accounts.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 传说
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Grammar Patterns of 传说
传说 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
The Volsunga Saga and Nibelungenlied hardly differ in anything but the name.
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龙是传说中的动物.
lóng shì chuán shuō zhōng de dòng wù.
The dragon is a fabulous creature.
Cultural Notes for 传说
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, 传说 plays a significant role in preserving history and moral values, often seen in traditional festivals where tales from ancient times are recounted, such as the Dragon Boat Festival's story of Qu Yuan.
Frequently Asked Questions about 传说
You can say, '在中国，有许多美丽的传说' (In China, there are many beautiful legends).
Not necessarily; it can refer to any commonly shared story or saying, regardless of its age.
While it is more common in informal speech, it can also be used in formal writing when discussing cultural heritage.
