Spanish Conversation · Level 18
90 words
Spanish word
leyenda
Pronunciation
IPA/leˈʝenda/
Meaning
- feminine nounlegend
Example
En este pueblo existe una leyenda sobre la montaña.
In this village there is a legend about the mountain.
More examples
Los abuelos me contaron una leyenda popular de mi pueblo.
My grandparents told me a popular folktale from my town.
Core concept
Traditional story that mixes real events and invented details about a place, event, or person.
Common phrases
contar una leyenda
tell a legend
la leyenda popular
popular folktale
Similar words
mito: Ancient narrative about gods or supernatural events that explains origins or cultural beliefs.
historia: Account of actual events presented in chronological order, aiming to record what happened.
cuento: Short invented story focused on entertainment or simple moral instruction.
fábula: Short story with talking animals or personified things that illustrates a clear moral lesson.
Definition in Spanish
Narración tradicional relacionada con un lugar, un suceso o una persona, transmitida oralmente y que mezcla hechos reales con elementos imaginarios.
Word origin
From Medieval Latin legenda (from Latin legenda 'things to be read'), originally referring to texts read aloud and later applied to saints' accounts and other traditional tales.
Usage tips
- Common in the formula 'Cuenta la leyenda que...' ('legend has it that...') and in 'leyenda urbana' for urban legends, and in nonnarrative contexts it can also mean a caption or map key.