Word: Folk Tale
Definition: A folk tale is a story that is passed down from person to person, often by word of mouth, among ordinary people (the "common folk"). These stories usually involve cultural traditions, morals, and lessons.
Usage Instructions:
Noun: "folk tale" is a countable noun, which means you can say "one folk tale" or "many folk tales."
Use it when talking about traditional stories from a culture or community.
Example Sentences:
"The teacher told us a folk tale about how the rabbit outsmarted the lion."
"Many folk tales teach important life lessons, like honesty and bravery."
Advanced Usage:
In literature studies, folk tales are often analyzed for their themes and cultural significance. They are also a part of oral tradition, which is the practice of passing stories down through generations.
Word Variants:
Folk (adjective): Relating to the traditional culture of a community (e.g., "folk music").
Tale (noun): A story, especially one that is imaginative or fictitious.
Different Meanings:
Synonyms:
Legend: A traditional story sometimes regarded as historical but not verifiable.
Myth: A story that explains natural or social phenomena, often involving gods or supernatural beings.
Fairy tale: A specific type of folk tale that often includes magical elements.
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
Summary:
A folk tale is a traditional story that shares important lessons and reflects the culture of the people who tell it.