relatos

Relatos is a narrative prose form in the Spanish language that refers to a story or account of events. The term emphasizes the recounting of what happened, and it can denote both fictional narratives and factual reports. Etymologically, it derives from relatar, to recount or relate, and is closely linked to the broader idea of narration.

In usage, relato can be synonymous with cuento or short story in everyday language, but it can also refer to a factual narrative, such as un relato de hechos in journalism or a witness relato in legal contexts. The distinction between relato and cuento varies by tradition and authorial intention; relatos often foreground the act of recounting and the sequence of events, while cuentos may emphasize literary craft and fictional design.

Characteristics commonly associated with relatos include brevity relative to a novel, a focus on a specific incident or set of related episodes, and attention to scene, atmosphere, and character. Narration can be first or third person, and the perspective may be strict or flexible, allowing for ambiguity or open endings. Relatos span a range of genres, from realism to fantasy, historical narrative, and contemporary life, and they frequently appear in magazines, anthologies, and digital platforms.

Forms and subgenres include microrelatos, which are exceptionally short, and longer narrative relatos that resemble traditional short stories. Across the Spanish-speaking world, relatos form an essential component of literary and journalistic practices, offering concise, impactful means of storytelling and observation.

See also: Short story; Microrelato; Narratology.