How to say "tale" in Japanese

• ストーリーCommon
  nounCovers 'tale' in the sense of the story or plot of a work such as a film, novel, or drama; a loanword heard often in media and everyday talk about narratives.
  今回こんかい発売はつばいされたアルバムは、ストーリー仕立したてになっていて力作りきさくだ。↗

  Her latest album is a tour de force. It even has a storyline.
• 物語ものがたりJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe core word for 'tale' as a narrative or story, whether told or written, including legends and fairy-tale-like narratives; the usual choice when referring to a tale as a work or account.
  これは、ある猫ねこについての物語ものがたりです。↗

  This is a story about a cat.
• コントCommon
  nounFrom French 'conte'; used for a short comic sketch or skit rather than a tale in the general sense, so it is seldom the word you want for 'tale' unless you mean a short comedy piece.
• 説話せつわCommon
  noun, suru verbA 'tale' in the sense of a narrative account, especially of the kind collected or told as stories of events, legends, or moral episodes; a literary and somewhat formal word, not everyday conversation.
• お話おはなしCommon
  nounA friendly, conversational word for a story or tale, often one told aloud, such as a story told to children; also used simply for 'talk' or 'chat'.
  知しっていることしかお話はなしできません。↗

  I can only tell you what I know.

For 'tale' as a story in general use 物語 or 「お話」, 「ストーリー」 for the plot or narrative of a work, 「コント」 for short comedic sketches, and 説話 for traditional narrative tales.

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

• ストーリーstory
• 物語ものがたりstory
• コントconte
• 説話せつわtale
• お話おはなしstory
• 譚たんstory
• 語り句かたりくstory
• 話はなしtale