Translation guide
The English word 'narrative' can refer to a story, a way of telling a story, or a broader account of events. This guide helps learners express these ideas naturally in Japanese.
To refer to a spoken or written account of connected events; a story.
The most common and general word for a story or tale, often with a sense of a crafted narrative.
これは長い物語です。
This is a long narrative.
A very common word for a story, talk, or account. More casual and broad than 物語.
彼の話は面白かった。
His narrative was interesting.
Loanword from English, often used for the plot of a movie, book, or game.
このゲームのストーリーは複雑だ。
The narrative of this game is complex.
A formal, literary term for narration or describing events. Used in academic or critical contexts.
この小説は独特の叙述スタイルを持っている。
This novel has a unique narrative style.
To refer to a particular perspective or framework used to make sense of events, often in politics or media.
Refers to the manner of telling or the narrative style. Can imply a subjective spin.
政府の語り口は国民に影響を与えた。
The government's narrative influenced the public.
Loanword used in academic, political, or media contexts to mean a constructed narrative or storyline.
Can also be used metaphorically for a constructed narrative or version of events.
To refer to the narrative portions of a written work, distinct from dialogue or description.
Specifically refers to the narrative or descriptive parts of a text, as opposed to dialogue.
この小説は地の文が長い。
This novel has long narrative passages.
Refers to the act of narrating or the narrative voice in a story.
物語 (monogatari) implies a crafted, often traditional or literary story. 話 (hanashi) is a general, everyday word for a story or account. ストーリー (sutōrī) is a loanword often used for plots in modern media like movies and games.
In casual conversation, using 物語 or 話 is more natural than the loanword ナラティブ, which can sound academic or forced.
その物語は引き込まれるようだった。
The narrative was compelling.
彼女は語り口を変えた。
She changed the narrative.
メディアは特定のナラティブを広めている。
The media is spreading a particular narrative.
彼らは自分たちの物語を作り上げた。
They constructed their own narrative.
It is written in first-person narrative.