Korean word

전설

Pronunciation

Romanizationcheonseol

Meaning

  • nounlegend

Example

그 섬에는 전설이 있다.keu seo me neun cheon seo ri it tta

That island has a legend.

Illustration for 전설 (legend)

More examples

전설 속 이야기는 세대를 거쳐 전해진다.cheon seol sok i ya gi neun se dae reul keo cheo cheon hae jin da

The story that forms part of the legend is passed down through generations.

Core concept

A story or belief carried through generations, often surrounded by wonder or uncertainty.

Common phrases

  • 전설 속cheon seol sok

    within the legend

  • 전설에 따르면cheon seo re tta reu myeon

    according to the legend

Similar words

이야기iyagi: A narrative passed on through speech or writing, whether it tells of real events or imagined ones.
신화sinhwa: An ancient traditional story about gods or heroes that explains how the world or nature began.

Definition in Korean

오래전부터 사람들 사이에 전해 내려오는 이야기나 믿음.o rae jeon bu teo sa ram deul sa i e cheon hae nae ryeo o neun i ya gi na mi deum

Word origin

The Sino-Korean word 전설 (jeonseol, "legend") comes from Chinese and combines 전 (jeon, "to pass on") with 설 (seol, "to tell"), describing a story handed down through speech.

Usage tips

  • Stories about a landmark, hero, or local event can fit this word even when they are not religious, so English speakers should not limit it to stories about gods.

Opposites

Related words

  • 전설적cheonseoljeoklegendaryadjective

Word lists with this word