When combined, 传说 (chuánshuō) literally means “to pass on by speaking.” This beautifully captures the essence of a legend or a rumor—an idea or story transmitted orally from person to person, generation to generation.
In China, 传说 (chuánshuō) are more than just children's stories; they are the bedrock of cultural identity and a primary vehicle for teaching history, morality, and social values. Tales like the Legend of the White Snake (白蛇传) or the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl (牛郎织女) are known by nearly everyone and are deeply embedded in festivals, operas, and art. A key difference from Western “legends” (like King Arthur) is how Chinese 传说 are often tied to specific, real-world locations and integrated into historical annals. The line between accepted history (历史, lìshǐ) and legend is often much blurrier. A famous mountain might have a temple dedicated to a figure from a 传说, and local belief might treat the story's events as historical fact. This fusion of the mythical and the historical gives these stories a powerful sense of place and persistence in modern culture. They aren't just fantasy; they are a layer of the nation's perceived past.
传说 is an extremely common word used in two primary ways: 1. As a Noun: “Legend” or “Folktale” This is its most direct meaning. It's used to talk about traditional myths, historical sagas, or even modern urban legends.
2. As a Verb Phrase: “It is said that…” or “Rumor has it…“ This is a very frequent conversational use. It's placed at the beginning of a sentence to introduce information that is not from your own direct experience. It's a way of signaling “this is what I've heard.”
This usage is neutral and can be applied to anything from harmless gossip to local beliefs or unverified “facts.” It's less formal and more common in speech than its synonym 据说 (jùshuō).