'传奇' (chuán qí) literally combines '传' (chuán), meaning 'to transmit' or 'to pass down', and '奇' (qí), meaning 'strange', 'remarkable', or 'extraordinary'. Together, they form a noun meaning 'legend'—a traditional story passed down through generations that recounts extraordinary people, events, or feats. Historically, it also refers to a specific genre of classical Chinese literature: the Tang-dynasty 'chuanqi'—short, fictional narratives featuring romance, chivalry, and supernatural elements.

Today, '传奇' is widely used in modern contexts to describe anything astonishingly successful or seemingly mythical—like an underdog sports team’s rise, a self-made entrepreneur’s journey, or even an exceptionally long-lived animal. It carries a tone of admiration and awe, often implying both rarity and cultural resonance. While it can refer to fictional tales, it’s more commonly applied to real-life stories imbued with mythic quality.