How to Say "Legend" in Japanese

伝説

densetsu[dẽ̞ɰ̃se̞t͡sɨ]

The English word "legend" is translated into Japanese as 伝説 (densetsu).

伝説 refers to myths, folklore or stories from the past, such as an urban legend or a historical tale.

Meaning: key to the symbols and color codes on a map (noun)

How do you pronounce it?

densetsu

English speakers often mistakenly use 伝説 to mean a map legend (the key to symbols and color codes on a map).

If you want to call a person a 'legend' in the sense of being a superstar, you would more likely use the loanword レジェンド (rejendo).
The word 凡例 (hanrei) used for map legends literally translates to 'ordinary examples' or 'general examples'.
Unlike English, where 'legend' can be a synonym for 'myth', Japanese distinguishes between 伝説 (densetsu) for legends and 神話 (shinwa) for divine myths.

これは都市伝説です。
This is an urban legend.
This sentence is useful for demonstrating the phrase 伝説 in the context of an urban legend.
Tatoeba #8204451 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #8110409 by Hybrid
伝説によれば、その森には幽霊が出たので、誰も足を踏み入れようとしなかったそうだ。
According to legend, ghosts would appear in that forest, so people would not set foot there.
This sentence shows how to use 伝説 when referring to folklore or stories from the past.
Tatoeba #124929 by bunbuku, translation #1212387 by CK
浦島太郎伝説
The legend of Urashima Tarō
This sentence provides an example of using 伝説 with a specific name.
Wiktionary
彼の勇敢な行動は、伝説となった。
His brave actions became a legend.
彼女の逸話はその地域で伝説となっている。
Her anecdotes have become a legend in that region.
彼のダンススキルは伝説的だ！
His dancing skills are legendary!
この店のカレーライスは伝説だよ。
The curry rice at this restaurant is legendary.
3 more sentences on Tatoeba

Misaki and Ren are looking at a map of a park.

美咲 Misaki

この地図の伝説はどこにありますか？
Kono chizu no densetsu wa doko ni arimasu ka?
Where is the legend for this map?
蓮 Ren

右下の隅に書いてありますよ。
Migi shita no sumi ni kaite arimasu yo.
It is written in the bottom right corner.
美咲 Misaki

なるほど、伝説を見れば意味がわかりますね。
Naruhodo, densetsu o mireba imi ga wakarimasu ne.
I see, if I look at the legend, I'll understand the meaning.
蓮 Ren

はい、色分けを確認してください。
Hai, irowake o kakunin shite kudasai.
Yes, please check the color coding.

Sources

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