挿話|そうわsouwa[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounepisode; side story; story within a story; aside; anecdote

• SynonymエピソードNeutralA loanword for an episode or anecdote; almost synonymous with 「挿話」 and the most common word in everyday use.
• Related幕間劇WrittenA short play performed between the acts of a main play; a written-style theatrical term that is rarely used.
• Antonym本筋ほんすじNeutralThe main thread of a story; the opposite of 「挿話」, which is a short story inserted into it.

For a small story or anecdote slipped into the main narrative, 「エピソード」 is the everyday choice and 「挿話」 the written one; 「幕間劇」 is a rare theatrical term for an interlude play, while 「本筋」 is the main thread of the story itself.

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

1. 話はなしや文章ぶんしょうの間あいだに挿入そうにゅうする短みじかい話はなしや文章ぶんしょう。
2. エピソード。逸話いつわ。