Used as a suffix attached to a noun to form a compound meaning 'story of ...' or 'tale of ...', as in 英雄譚 (heroic tale). Also used as a standalone noun in literary contexts.
See also: 英雄譚 (えいゆうたん)
この小説は、ある探検家の冒険譚だ。
This novel is the adventure tale of an explorer.
彼は古代の英雄譚を集めて本にした。
He collected ancient heroic tales and made them into a book.
He often told tales of his adventures from his youth.
譚 (たん) means 'tale/story' and appears as a suffix like 英雄譚, while 談 (だん) means 'talk/discussion' as in 相談; the two kanji look similar (both contain 言) but are unrelated in meaning and pronunciation.
old tale; ancient story
mysterious story; strange tale
folk tale; folklore
beautiful story; elegant tale
ballad
ballade
prequel · retrospective; looking back
story of metamorphosis; transformation tale
Standard kanji spelling for this suffix/noun meaning 'story' or 'tale'.
The kanji 譚 is used for its meaning 'story' or 'tale'. The reading たん is the on'yomi. The exact historical derivation of this suffix usage is uncertain, but it is conventionally associated with literary or narrative contexts.
sequel; later development; follow-up story
Jataka tales; stories of Buddha's previous lives