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Words Kanji Guides About

物語 (ものがたり) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

物もの語がたり

も

の

が

た

り

Common wordJLPTN3Freq.FrequencyTop 2,000

Meanings

1

noun

story; tale; narrative

Broad term for a story, tale, or narrative, from folk legends to modern novels. Often used in titles and literary contexts.

この物もの語がたりは、貧まずしい少しょう年ねんが勇ゆう者しゃになるまでを描えがいている。
This story depicts a poor boy's journey to becoming a hero.

昔むかし話ばなしや物もの語がたりを読よむのが好すきです。

I like reading old tales and stories.

Written forms

物もの語がたりUsage98%
Standard kanji spelling; high-frequency word.
ものがたりUsage1%
物もの語がたりUsage1%
irregular okurigana
Irregular okurigana usage; rarely seen in modern writing.

Kanji

物thing, object, matter
語word, speech, language

Similar words

話はなし
話 is a more general, everyday word for a talk, conversation, or story, while 物語 often implies a structured narrative or literary work.
小しょう説せつ
小説 specifically refers to a novel or fictional prose work, whereas 物語 can include traditional tales, legends, and non-realistic narratives.

Etymology

Compound of 物 (もの, thing) + 語り (かたり, telling), the nominalized form of 語る (かたる, to tell). The kanji spelling 物語 is standard.