物語
monogatari[mo̞no̞ɡa̠ta̠ɾʲi]
In Japanese, the English phrase "stories" is translated as 物語 (monogatari).
物語 refers to narratives of imaginary or real events told for entertainment or to teach a lesson. While it can refer to any story, it often carries a nuance of a longer, more structured narrative or a literary tale.
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between 物語 and the word 話 (hanashi). Use 物語 for literary or epic narratives, whereas 話 is used for more casual talk, anecdotes or simple stories.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 物語 does not change its form to indicate plurality. The context or counters determine if it means one story or multiple stories.
How do you pronounce it?
monogatari
Did you know?
- The word 物語 is composed of two kanji characters meaning 'thing' and 'talk'. This reflects a cultural view of a story as a tangible 'thing' that is told.
- The 'Tale of Genji' 源氏物語 is widely considered the world's first novel. Written in the 11th century, it established 物語 as a sophisticated literary genre for the Japanese imperial court.
- In modern Japanese pop culture, the suffix 物語 is often added to titles to signal that a series is a character-driven drama or an epic, even if the plot is fragmented or surreal.
Examples in context
- 悲しい結末の物語が好きです。I like stories that have sad endings.This sentence is useful for expressing a preference for stories with sad endings using 物語.Tatoeba #153156 by KK_kaku_, translation #261388 by CK
- 私の趣味は物語を書くことなの。My hobby is writing stories.This sentence is useful for describing a hobby involving writing 物語.Tatoeba #11276080 by bunbuku, translation #251126 by CK
- ハッピーエンドで終わる物語が大好きなのさ。I love stories with happy endings.This sentence is useful for expressing a love for stories that end with happy endings using 物語.Tatoeba #8873792 by small_snow, translation #8873782 by CK
- 昨日、とても面白いお話を聞きましたYesterday, I heard a very interesting story.
- ちょっと聞いて！面白い話があるんだListen for a moment! I have an interesting story.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Hiroto are talking about a book in a library.
- 結衣 Yuiこの本には面白い物語がたくさんあります。Kono hon ni wa omoshiroi monogatari ga takusan arimasu.There are many interesting stories in this book.
- 大翔 Hirotoどんな物語が書いてあるの？Donna monogatari ga kaite aru no?What kind of stories are written in it?
- 結衣 Yui昔の王様についての物語です。Mukashi no ousama ni tsuite no monogatari desu.They are stories about kings from a long time ago.
- 大翔 Hirotoそれは面白そうだね。Sore wa omoshirosou da ne.That sounds interesting.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 物語, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
