Inklingo

How to Say "myth" in Spanish

English → Spanish

mito

MEE-tohˈmito

nounB1general
Use 'mito' for traditional, ancient stories, especially those from classical mythology, or for a common but untrue belief or misconception.
A majestic white Pegasus with large feathered wings soaring gracefully over rugged green mountains under a bright sun. This illustrates a traditional ancient story.

Examples

Los mitos griegos son fascinantes, especialmente el de Ícaro.

Greek myths are fascinating, especially the one about Icarus.

Estudiamos el mito fundacional de su cultura en la clase de historia.

We studied the foundational myth of their culture in history class.

Es un mito que el dinero da la felicidad; la realidad es más compleja.

It is a myth that money brings happiness; the reality is more complex.

Tenemos que desmentir el mito de que aprender un idioma es difícil.

We have to debunk the myth that learning a language is difficult.

Gender Reminder

Even though it ends in '-o', 'mito' is masculine, so always use 'el mito' or 'un mito'.

Using 'es un mito'

This phrase is a quick way to reject a claim. You often follow it with 'que' and a verb in the indicative mood if you state a fact, or the subjunctive if you express doubt or a wish.

leyenda

leh-YEHN-dahleˈʝen̪.da

nounA2general
Use 'leyenda' for a story that is often passed down through generations, potentially based on historical events but embellished with fantastical elements.
A knight pulling a glowing sword from a large stone embedded in the ground, set in a dense forest, illustrating a traditional mythical story.

Examples

La leyenda de El Dorado es muy popular en Sudamérica.

The legend of El Dorado is very popular in South America.

Mi abuela siempre nos contaba leyendas de la selva.

My grandmother always told us legends of the jungle.

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'.

superstición

nounB1informal
Use 'superstición' informally to refer to a specific, commonly held but unfounded belief, often related to luck or misfortune.

Examples

Romper un espejo es una superstición muy antigua.

Breaking a mirror is a very old superstition.

Mito vs. Leyenda

The most common mistake is using 'leyenda' for any ancient story. Remember that 'mito' is more often used for specific, often religious or mythological narratives (like Greek myths), while 'leyenda' refers to tales that might have a historical kernel but are heavily fictionalized.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.