By Masaki Mori
What does “densetsu” mean in Japanese?
Native speakers say “densetsu” often to mean ‘legend’ in Japanese. Perhaps, some Japanese learners know this word as it is sometimes used in Japanese movies, video games, songs, novels, manga, anime, and the like. In this blog post, however, I will explain this word in detail based on its kanji expression. And also, I will explain how to use it through example sentences. My explanations would help Japanese learners understand “densetsu” more clearly. Then, let’s get started!
Contents
- Definition and meanings of “densetsu”
- Densetsu in kanji
- Example #1: how to say “legend” in Japanese
- Example #2: another usage of “densetsu”
- Summary
Definition and meanings of “densetsu”
Let me start with the definition and meanings of “densetsu”.
- densetsu – 伝説 (でんせつ) : a noun meaning ‘legend’ in Japanese. Depending on the context and situation, this can also mean ‘folklore’ or ‘tradition’. This can also work as plural. Learn more about Japanese plural.
Native speakers use this noun often to refer to a tale or story from the old times. In addition, they sometimes use this to refer to a person who has made a great or untouchable record in a particular field. So, this noun can work in more or less the same way as the English one, “legend”, does.
The definition and meanings are not that difficult. To understand this noun more clearly, however, let me explain its kanji characters in detail, one by one.
Densetsu in kanji
The kanji expression of “densetsu” consists of the following two kanji characters:
- 伝 : a kanji character used to refer to the act of telling or conveying. This kanji can also be found in other words like “tsutaeru“.
- 説 : a kanji character used to refer to the act of preaching or explaining.
From these two kanji characters, we can understand that “densetsu” literally means ‘telling and preaching’ in Japanese. This literal interpretation is not completely in line with the actual meanings, but still understandable, I think. Legends are often something to be told and preached to the next generation.
When we meet new kanji expressions, we should check their kanji characters in detail to understand their meanings clearly and deeply. In many cases, kanji characters tell us a lot about the meanings of the expressions they form. Actually, here, we could get the better understanding of “densetsu” through the detailed kanji check above.
So far, I’ve explained the definition and meanings of “densetsu” together with its kanji characters. Then, let me explain how to use it through the example sentences below.
Example #1: how to say “legend” in Japanese
kore ga kono kuni no densetsu desu – これがこの国の伝説です (これがこのくにのでんせつです)
This is the legend of this country.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- kore – これ : a demonstrative pronoun used to refer to something close to the speaker. In the example, this is used to mean ‘this’ in Japanese.
- ga – が : a case particle used to make the subject word or the object word in a sentence. In the example, this is used after “kore” to make the subject in the sentence.
- kono – この : a determiner used before a noun which refers to something close to the speaker. In the example, this is used before “kuni” to say “this country” in Japanese.
- kuni – 国 (くに) : a noun meaning ‘country’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural.
- no – の : a case particle joining two nouns or noun equivalent words. Normally, the first one can work as a modifier to describe the second. In the example, this works to join “kono kuni” and “densetsu”. The formed phrase literally means ‘the legend of this country’ in Japanese. Word orders in Japanese and English are different, but the role of this case particle is similar to that of the English preposition, “of”.
- desu – です : an auxiliary verb used after a noun or adjective to make it polite. Probably, this is well known as a part of Japanese desu form. In the example, this is used after the noun phrase, “kono kuni no densetsu”, to make it sound polite.
This is a typical usage of “densetsu”. In this example, it works as a part of the noun phrase, “kono kuni no densetsu”, which means ‘the legend of this country’ in Japanese.
Example #2: another usage of “densetsu”
boku wa sono densetsu wo shira nai – 僕はその伝説を知らない (ぼくはそのでんせつをしらない)
I don’t know that legend.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- boku – 僕 (ぼく) : a pronoun meaning ‘I’ in Japanese. This is used mainly by boys and young males.
- wa – は : a binding particle working as a case marker or topic marker. In the example, this works after “boku” to make the subject in the sentence.
- sono – その : a determiner used before a noun which refers to something close to the listener. In the example, this is used before “densetsu” to say “that legend” in Japanese.
- wo – を : a case particle used to make the object word in a sentence. In the example, this is used after “sono densetsu” to make the object in the sentence.
- shira – 知ら (しら) : one conjugation of the verb, “shiru”, which means ‘to know’ in Japanese. In the example, it has been conjugated for the better connection with its following word.
- nai – ない : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to deny its meaning. Probably, this is well known as a part of Japanese nai form. In the example, this is used after “shira” to deny its meaning.
This is another typical usage of “densetsu”. In this example, it works together with the case particle, “wo”, to become the object in the sentence. Anyway, when we want to say “legend” in Japanese, this noun is always a very good option.
Summary
In this blog post, I’ve explained the definition and meanings of “densetsu” in detail based on its kanji expression. And also, I’ve explained how to use it through the example sentences. Let me summarize them as follows.
- densetsu – 伝説 (でんせつ) : a noun meaning ‘legend’ in Japanese. Depending on the context and situation, this can also mean ‘folklore’ or ‘tradition’. This can also work as plural. These two kanji characters literally mean ‘telling and preaching’. This literal interpretation is not completely in line with the actual meanings, but still understandable. Legends are often something to be told and preached to the next generation.
Hope my explanations are understandable and helpful for Japanese learners.
