Refers to stories, teachings, or customs passed down through generations. Often used in compounds like 伝説 (legend) or 伝統 (tradition).
An old legend remains in this village.
biography; life story
Used for written accounts of a person's life, especially in historical or literary contexts. Common in compounds like 自伝 (autobiography) or 伝記 (biography).
I was moved after reading his biography.
Refers to a traditional or established way of doing something, often in arts, crafts, or martial arts. Appears in compounds like 秘伝 (secret method) or 口伝 (oral instruction).
ancient relay system
Historical term for the horseback communication and transportation system used in ancient Japan. Rarely used outside historical contexts.
The ancient relay system is considered the origin of the ekiden (long-distance relay race).
He read a biography of Oda Nobunaga.
The methods of this school are kept secret from outsiders.
伝記 is the everyday standalone word for a written biography, while 伝 in this sense mostly occurs as a suffix attached to a person's name (e.g. 信長伝).
伝承 emphasizes the ongoing act of passing down a tradition or story, whereas 伝 is the more abstract, compound-forming noun for tradition/legend.
legend; folklore; tradition
tradition; convention
publicity; advertising; propaganda
heredity; genetic inheritance
transmission; communication; delivery; conveyance
handing down; transmission; folklore; legend; tradition
contagion; infection
supplementary biography · side story; spin-off; anecdote
instruction in secrets; initiation; passing down
Standard kanji form for all senses.
From Middle Chinese 傳 (drjwen), meaning 'to transmit, pass on'. The Japanese on'yomi reading でん reflects the historical Chinese pronunciation.
long-distance relay race · stagecoach; post horse
verbal message; word (from someone)
missionary work; proselytizing; preaching; evangelism
conduction; transmission · conduction
secret; mystery; esoteric knowledge
transmission; sending; communication
biography; life story
autobiography
series of biographies; collection of biographies
transmission; propagation; spread; dissemination
slip; chit; voucher; ticket
spread around; talk about widely; noise about
direct transmission; initiation
introduction from abroad; importation · handing down; transmission through generations
hearsay; rumor; report
autobiography
message board; bulletin board
fantasy fiction; bizarre fiction
delivering an order; dispatch of an order · messenger; orderly; runner
handed-down book; book of secrets · delivering a letter
oral instruction; word-of-mouth transmission · oral tradition