Translation guide
A fable is a short story that teaches a moral lesson, often with talking animals. In Japanese, the most common word is 寓話 (ぐうわ), but there are also related terms like 昔話 (むかしばなし) for folktales and 童話 (どうわ) for children's stories. The choice depends on whether you emphasize the moral, the traditional aspect, or the audience.
The learner wants to refer to a classic fable like Aesop's fables.
Aesop's fables · The fable of the tortoise and the hare · a fable with a moral
This is the direct equivalent of 'fable' and is used for stories like Aesop's fables that teach a lesson. It's a literary term but widely understood.
イソップ寓話は世界中で知られています。
Aesop's fables are known all over the world.
この寓話の教訓は何ですか。
What is the moral of this fable?
Literally 'moral story', this emphasizes the teaching aspect. It can be used for any story with a lesson, not just traditional fables.
彼は子供たちに教訓話を聞かせた。
He told the children a fable (a story with a moral).
A more literary or formal term for a fable or allegorical tale. Rarely used in everyday conversation.
中世の寓話物語には動物がよく登場する。
Animals often appear in medieval fables.
The learner might use 'fable' loosely to mean any old story, like a folktale or legend.
an old fable from my village · a collection of fables and legends
This means 'old tale' or 'folktale' and is the best fit for traditional stories passed down orally, like Momotaro. It doesn't necessarily have a moral.
祖母はよく昔話を聞かせてくれた。
My grandmother often told us fables (folktales).
日本の昔話には「桃太郎」や「かぐや姫」があります。
Japanese fables include 'Momotaro' and 'Princess Kaguya'.
Folk tale or legend, often with a regional or cultural focus. More formal than 昔話.
Children's story or fairy tale. Often used for Western fairy tales or original stories for children. Not necessarily a fable with a moral.
The learner wants to call something a fable to mean it's not true, like 'that's just a fable'.
Don't believe him, it's just a fable. · His excuse was a complete fable.
A made-up story, fabrication. This is the most natural way to say something is a fable in the sense of a false story.
彼の話は全部作り話だ。
His story is just a fable (a fabrication).
A lie or tall tale. Stronger than 作り話, implying intentional deception.
それはただの嘘話だよ。
That's just a fable (a tall tale).
寓話 (ぐうわ) specifically refers to a story with a moral, like Aesop's fables. 昔話 (むかしばなし) is a traditional folktale, often without an explicit moral. 童話 (どうわ) is a children's story, which may be original or adapted, and doesn't necessarily teach a lesson. Use 寓話 when the moral is key, 昔話 for old oral tales, and 童話 for any story aimed at children.
If you call a folktale like Momotaro a 寓話, it might sound odd because it's not primarily a moral tale. Stick to 昔話 for such stories.
Many fables (folk tales) remain in this region.
Andersen's fables (fairy tales) are popular with children.
Fairy tale, but can be used sarcastically to mean a fanciful story. Not as direct as 作り話 for 'lie'.
そんなの、おとぎ話だよ。
That's just a fable (a fairy tale).