传说 (chuán shuō) — (noun) legend, folk tale; (verb) to spread (news/stories) by word of mouth; it is said that...

Definition

传说 is a folk tale or legend passed down orally, distinct from 神话 (gods/mythology). As a verb, ‘it is said that…’ is used like 据说 but with a more traditional, story-like flavor.

noun
legendfolk tale
verb
to spread (news/stories) by word of mouthit is said that...

Examples

  • 传说
    Zhè ge chuán shuō yǐ jīng liú chuán le jǐ bǎi nián.
    This legend has been passed down for hundreds of years.
  • 传说
    chuán shuō, Nà zuò shān shàng yǒu yí zuò hěn lǎo de miào.
    It is said that there is a very old temple on that mountain.
  • 传说
    Rén men chuán shuō tā shì yí wèi yīng xióng.
    People say he is a hero.

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