How to say "anecdote" in Japanese

• エピソードCommon
  nounA short, often amusing story from personal experience; conversational in feel, it fits casual talk about something that happened to you or someone you know.
  その痛いたましいエピソードは私には痛切つうせつに感かんじられた。↗

  The touching episode came home to me.
• 逸話いつわCommon
  nounThe closest match for the classic sense: a short, often amusing or revealing story about a notable person or event, with a slightly literary flavor suited to essays and articles.
  彼かれはまずユーモアのある逸話いつわを話はなして講義こうぎを始はじめた。↗

  He began his lecture with a humorous anecdote.
• 小話こばなしCommon
  nounA short, typically light or humorous little story; the emphasis falls on brevity and amusement, as in a quick funny tale shared in conversation.
• 挿話そうわCommon
  nounRarely what you want for a personal anecdote: it means an episode or side story inserted into a larger narrative — an aside or story within a story.
• 外伝がいでんCommon
  nounNot the word for a personal anecdote: it means a side story or spin-off — a work or narrative covering events outside the main storyline.

For a casual personal story use 「エピソード」, for an amusing story about a notable person 逸話, for a short humorous tale 小話; 挿話 means an episode inserted in a larger narrative, 外伝 a side story or spin-off.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• エピソードepisode
• 逸話いつわanecdote
• 小話こばなしanecdote
• 挿話そうわepisode
• アネクドートanecdote
• 一つ話ひとつばなしanecdote
• 逸事いつじanecdote
• 余話よわanecdote
• 場繋ぎばつなぎfilling in (e.g. between speakers at a meeting, acts at a show)
• ひとくち話ひとくちばなしjoke
• 珍談ちんだんfunny story
• 外伝がいでんanecdote