Often used in negative constructions like いわれはない (there is no reason) or いわれのない (unfounded, unwarranted).
Refers to the story or circumstances behind something, often a name, tradition, or object. Common in phrases like いわれのある (having a history/story).
There is no reason for him to blame me.
That is an unfounded accusation.
This shrine has an old history.
I looked into the origin of that place name.
unjustified; unwarranted; groundless
Usually written in kana; the kanji forms 謂れ and 謂われ are rare and mainly seen in literary or formal contexts.
Kanji form; rarely used in modern writing.
Alternate kanji form with okurigana; even less common than 謂れ.
Derived from the classical Japanese verb 言う (iu, 'to say') in its passive form 言われる (iwareru), meaning 'it is said'. The noun いわれ originally meant 'what is said about something', evolving to mean 'reason' or 'history'.