Definition

1. Verb (often used as an adverb):
   • To be traditionally/legally said or believed; to be passed down through oral tradition or folklore. It indicates that a story, event, or piece of information is not from a verified historical record but is part of popular tradition or legend.

Usage Examples

• Verb/Adverb:
  • Tương truyền, vị vua đó có thanh kiếm thần. (It is traditionally said that king had a magical sword.)
  • Ngôi đền này tương truyền được xây dựng từ thế kỷ thứ mười. (This temple is said to have been built in the 10th century.)
  • Tương truyền rằng nơi đây từng có một thành phố cổ. (Legend has it that there was once an ancient city here.)

Advanced Usage

• Used to introduce a narrative or statement whose origin is in collective memory rather than documented fact. It often appears at the beginning of a sentence or clause.
  • Câu chuyện tương truyền qua nhiều thế hệ. (The story has been passed down through many generations.)

Variants and Related Words

• Truyền thuyết (n): legend, mythology.

  • Truyền thuyết về vua Hùng. (The legend of the Hung Kings.)

• Truyền miệng (v): to pass on by word of mouth; oral transmission.

  • Tin tức được truyền miệng trong làng. (The news was spread by word of mouth in the village.)

Synonyms

• Legend has it: A common English phrase with a similar function.
• It is said: A more general phrase for reported information.
• According to tradition: Indicates information sourced from customary beliefs.
• Folklore tells: Specifically indicates origin in popular stories.

Related Idioms

• While "tương truyền" itself is not typically part of a longer idiom, it functions similarly to English phrases used to introduce legendary accounts.
  • Tương truyền lại rằng...: It is handed down that...

    • Tương truyền lại rằng người anh hùng đã hy sinh tại đây. (It is handed down that the hero sacrificed himself here.)