過去に
kako ni
The English phrase "in the past" is translated into Japanese as 過去に (kako ni).
The phrase 過去に is used to refer to a specific time or period that has already occurred. It is typically used when discussing historical facts, documented events or actual occurrences in a temporal context.
Meaning: at a past time (prep_phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the noun 過去 (kako), which means "past" and the particle に (ni), which is used to mark a specific point in time.
Which one should you use?
While 過去に is used for factual, historical or objective references to a past time, 昔 is used for more nostalgic or storytelling contexts, such as saying "once upon a time" or referring to the "olden days".
How do you pronounce it?
kako ni
Did you know?
- Japanese has a specific word 懐かしい (natsukashii) for the feeling of longing for the past, which differs from 'homesick' and is often used as a positive exclamation when seeing something from one's youth.
- The word 過去 is composed of characters meaning 'pass' and 'go'. This reflects a Japanese perspective of the past as something that has physically moved away from the present.
- In Japanese, you can describe a 'past' person or a 'past' version of yourself using the word 過去, but doing so often sounds like you are talking about a completely different human being.
Examples in context
- 過去に陸上自衛隊演習場で行われた射撃訓練で、砲弾が場外に着弾する事故が起きている。In the past accidents have occurred where shells fell outside of the firing range area used for exercises by the JGSDF.This sentence illustrates how 過去に can be used to describe a historical accident occurring at a firing range.Tatoeba #459036 by qahwa, translation #533164 by blay_paul
- Kodomo no koro, watashi wa bōken o suru no ga daisuki deshita. (子供の頃、私は冒険をするのが大好きでした。)When I was a child, I loved going on adventures.
- 過去にこのようなミスが起きたことがあります。Kako ni kono you na misu ga okita koto ga arimasu.A mistake like this has occurred in the past.
- 過去に何度もその映画を見ました。Kako ni nando mo sono eiga o mimashita.I have watched that movie many times in the past.
Example conversation
Hiyori and Kenta are talking about their travel experiences.
- 陽葵 Himari陽葵さんは過去に海外へ行ったことがありますか。Hiyori-san wa kako ni kaigai e itta koto ga arimasu ka.Hiyori, have you gone abroad in the past?
- 健太 Kentaはい、一度だけアメリカに行きました。hai, ichido dake amerika ni ikimashita.Yes, I went to America once.
- 陽葵 Himariいいですね。私はまだ行ったことがありません。ii desu ne. watashi wa mada itta koto ga arimasen.That's nice. I haven't been yet.
- 健太 Kenta健太さんもいつか行ってみてください。Kenta-san mo itsuka itte mite kudasai.Kenta, you should try going someday too.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
