Mythology represents ancient narratives explaining existence, now often used to describe legendary, idealized, or unproven beliefs.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Traditional stories about gods and the origin of the world.
- Often used metaphorically for beliefs or legendary status.
- Integral to understanding cultural history and world views.
概要
神話（しんわ）は、古くから語り継がれてきた、神々や英雄が登場する物語群を指します。単なる作り話ではなく、その民族の信仰や世界観、自然現象の理由を説明するための重要な文化遺産です。日本神話やギリシャ神話が有名です。
使用パターン
名詞として使用され、「神話を読む」「神話の世界」といった表現が一般的です。また、現代社会においては「不敗神話（決して負けないという伝説）」のように、比喩的に使われることが非常に多いです。
類似語との比較
「伝説（レジェンド）」は実在した人物や出来事が誇張されたものというニュアンスが強く、「昔話（民話）」は教訓や娯楽目的の庶民的な物語という違いがあります。神話はより壮大で、宇宙や世界の始まりと結びついている点が特徴です。
Examples
ギリシャ神話には魅力的な神々がたくさん登場する。
everydayGreek mythology features many fascinating gods.
その企業の成長神話は崩壊した。
formalThe company's growth myth has collapsed.
子供の頃、よく神話の絵本を読んでもらった。
informalI often had mythology picture books read to me as a child.
比較神話学の研究は、人類の共通の根源を探る試みである。
academicComparative mythology research is an attempt to explore the common roots of humanity.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
神話的
Mythical
神話の世界観
Mythological worldview
神話に登場する
To appear in a myth
Often Confused With
Legend refers to stories based on historical people or events, whereas myths are about gods and the origins of the world.
Folktales are usually simpler stories for entertainment or moral teaching, lacking the cosmological scale of myths.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The term is used both in academic settings to refer to ancient stories and in modern society as a metaphor. In business or sports, it implies a belief that is widely held but potentially fragile. Ensure the context is clear when using it metaphorically.
Common Mistakes
Beginners often use '神話' to refer to any old story, but it specifically refers to divine or cosmological narratives. Do not use it for personal anecdotes or simple fairy tales. Distinguish between 'mythology as a study' and 'myth as a false belief'.
Tips
Use in metaphorical contexts
Use '神話' to describe an unbreakable record or a popular but unproven belief. It adds a sense of epic scale to the subject.
Do not confuse with history
Avoid treating myths as literal historical facts in academic writing. Always frame them as cultural narratives.
Understand the cultural roots
Learning about mythology helps you understand idioms and references in literature. Many Japanese customs are rooted in ancient myth.
Word Origin
The word comes from the Chinese characters '神' (god) and '話' (story). It was adopted into Japanese to translate the Western concept of 'mythology'.
Cultural Context
Japanese mythology is deeply tied to Shintoism, where nature is seen as divine. Understanding these myths provides insight into traditional Japanese values and aesthetics.
Memory Tip
Think of '神' (god) + '話' (story). If it involves gods explaining the world, it's a myth!
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions神話は神々や世界の始まりを扱う物語であり、伝説は実在した人物や場所に関連する特定の出来事を指します。伝説は歴史的背景がより強く反映されています。
一度も負けたことがないという伝説的な記録を指す比喩です。スポーツチームや経済指標などが長期間安定して好調な場合に使われます。
古事記や日本書紀に記された物語が有名です。天照大神や須佐之男命といった神々が日本という国を作り上げる過程が描かれています。
歴史的事実ではなく、象徴的な物語です。科学的な根拠はありませんが、当時の人々の思考や文化を知るための重要な資料です。
Test Yourself
彼はついにそのチームの連勝___を打ち破った。
「連勝神話」という慣用的な表現が適切です。
Score: /1
Summary
Mythology represents ancient narratives explaining existence, now often used to describe legendary, idealized, or unproven beliefs.
- Traditional stories about gods and the origin of the world.
- Often used metaphorically for beliefs or legendary status.
- Integral to understanding cultural history and world views.
Use in metaphorical contexts
Use '神話' to describe an unbreakable record or a popular but unproven belief. It adds a sense of epic scale to the subject.
Do not confuse with history
Avoid treating myths as literal historical facts in academic writing. Always frame them as cultural narratives.
Understand the cultural roots
Learning about mythology helps you understand idioms and references in literature. Many Japanese customs are rooted in ancient myth.
Examples
4 of 4ギリシャ神話には魅力的な神々がたくさん登場する。
Greek mythology features many fascinating gods.
その企業の成長神話は崩壊した。
The company's growth myth has collapsed.
子供の頃、よく神話の絵本を読んでもらった。
I often had mythology picture books read to me as a child.
比較神話学の研究は、人類の共通の根源を探る試みである。
Comparative mythology research is an attempt to explore the common roots of humanity.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More history words
歴史家
B1A historian, a person who studies and writes about the past.
滅ぼす
A2To destroy, to ruin, or to annihilate (transitive form of 滅びる).
一方で
A2On the other hand, meanwhile, or while.
〜世紀
A2A suffix indicating a specific century.
攻撃する
A2To attack, to assault, or to make an offensive.
人物
A2A person, especially one of importance or character.
興る
A2To rise, to originate, or to come into being (e.g., a state, a power).
歴史的な
B1Relating to history; significant in history.
その頃
A2At that time, around that time, or back then.
王朝
A2A succession of rulers from the same family.
