語り草・語り種・語りぐさ|かたりぐさkatarigusa[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounstory; topic (on everyone's lips); (the stuff of) legend
   ビルはこの会社かいしゃでの語り草かたりぐさになっている。↗

   Bill is still a legendary figure in this company.

• Synonym説話せつわWrittenA written term for tales handed down from old times — folk tales, legends, Buddhist stories; used mainly in literary study.
• Related伝説でんせつNeutralA legend handed down over the years, often with a mysterious or exaggerated air; 「語り草」 is a topic people still relish retelling today.
• Related故事こじWrittenA written word for past events that influenced later ages, or for allusions and origins; 「語り草」 emphasizes being talked about.
• Related話はなしNeutralThe most ordinary word for talk or a topic; unlike 「語り草」, it does not stress being passed down over time.
• Related物語ものがたりNeutralA story or narrative, a broad term that includes long fictional works; 「語り草」 is a topic people relish retelling.
• Related講談こうだんNeutralA stage art of dramatic storytelling, reciting war chronicles and heroic tales; a performing genre, not a topic like 「語り草」.
• Related曰くいわくNeutralA reason or origin that takes a long story to tell, often in 「曰く付き」; it hints at hidden circumstances, while 「語り草」 is a topic people relish retelling.
• Related言伝ことづてNeutralA message entrusted to someone or hearsay; the focus is on relaying words, not on a tale people pass around like 「語り草」.

Use 「語り草」 for a topic or old episode people still relish retelling, as in 「今でも語り草になっている」. For legends use 「伝説」, for stories 「物語」. 「故事」 and 「説話」 are written words; 「言伝」 is a relayed message, 「講談」 a stage art, 「曰く」 a history with hidden circumstances.

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

1. 話はなしの種しゅ。