相传

xiāng chuán

HSK 3.0 Level 6 Verb Rare

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Definitions

1. to pass on
2. to hand down
3. tradition has it that ...
4. according to legend

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Word relationships

Related words

2 items

• 继承 jì chéng 继承 jì chéng to inherit 与‘传递、传承’义相关，但强调接受: to inherit
• 流传 liú chuán 流传 liú chuán to spread 指故事、消息等传播开: to spread

Synonyms

2 items

• 传说 chuán shuō 传说 chuán shuō legend; folk tale 用于表示根据传说或流传的说法: legend; folk tale
• 据说 jù shuō 据说 jù shuō it is said that; reportedly 表示根据别人说或传说: it is said that; reportedly

Usage notes

Common mistakes

Don't confuse '相传' (tradition has it) with '传说' as a noun meaning 'legend'. '相传' is a verb often used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a traditional belief.

Formality

Mainly used in written or formal contexts when recounting legends or historical anecdotes. Not used in casual speech.

Example Sentences

1 shown

相传 这座庙已经有一千多年的历史了。

Tradition has it that this temple has a history of over a thousand years.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 相传

• 世代相传 世代相传 shì dài xiāng chuán: passed on from generation to generation (idiom); to hand down
• 代代相传 代代相传 dài dài xiāng chuán: passed on from generation to generation (idiom); to hand down
• 薪火相传 薪火相传 xīn huǒ xiāng chuán: lit. the flame of a burning piece of firewood passes on to the rest (idiom)

Child Words of 相传

• 传 传 chuán: to pass on
• 传 传 zhuàn: biography
• 相 相 xiāng: each other
• 相 相 xiàng: appearance