How to Say "myth" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “myth” is “mito” — use 'mito' when referring to a traditional or ancient story that explains natural phenomena or historical events, or when talking about a false belief or misconception..
mito
MEE-toh/ˈmito/
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-dah/leˈʝen̪.da/
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'.
Mito vs. Leyenda
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