leyenda
/leh-YEHN-dah/
legend
Leyenda meaning a traditional story or myth.
leyenda(noun)
legend
?traditional story or myth
folktale
?story passed down through generations
,myth
?ancient story
📝 In Action
La leyenda de El Dorado es muy popular en Sudamérica.
A2The legend of El Dorado is very popular in South America.
Mi abuela siempre nos contaba leyendas de la selva.
B1My grandmother always told us legends of the jungle.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Feminine
Even though 'leyenda' doesn't end in -a in the singular, it is a feminine noun, so you must use 'la leyenda' or 'una leyenda'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with 'Contar'
Use the verb 'contar' (to tell) when you talk about sharing a traditional story: 'Voy a contarles una leyenda' (I am going to tell them a legend).
Leyenda meaning a famous, highly respected person.
📝 In Action
Diego Maradona es una leyenda del fútbol argentino.
B1Diego Maradona is a legend of Argentine soccer.
La actriz se retiró después de convertirse en una leyenda viva.
B2The actress retired after becoming a living legend.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Note
When referring to a person, 'leyenda' is still grammatically feminine, even if the person is a man (e.g., 'El jugador es una leyenda').
Leyenda meaning a key on a map or chart.
leyenda(noun)
key
?on a map or chart
,caption
?text under an image
inscription
?writing on an object
📝 In Action
Debes consultar la leyenda del mapa para identificar los símbolos.
B2You must consult the map key to identify the symbols.
La leyenda al pie de la gráfica explica el significado de los colores.
C1The caption at the bottom of the graph explains the meaning of the colors.
💡 Grammar Points
Technical Use
This meaning is often found in academic texts, manuals, or when describing visual data like charts and graphs.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: leyenda
Question 1 of 2
Which meaning of 'leyenda' is used in the sentence: 'La leyenda de la foto no era clara'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How is 'leyenda' different from 'mito' (myth)?
While often used interchangeably, 'leyenda' usually involves specific historical people or places (even if the events are fictionalized), like King Arthur. 'Mito' (myth) often deals with gods, creation, and the supernatural origins of the world.
If a famous man is a legend, do I still say 'una leyenda'?
Yes. 'Leyenda' is a feminine noun, so the word itself does not change based on the person's gender. You must always use 'la' or 'una' with it, even if you are talking about a male soccer star.