過去
kako[ka̠ko̞]
The Japanese word for the English phrase 'past' is 過去 (kako).
過去 refers to a period of time that has already happened. When you are referring to 'the past' as an abstract concept or a set of events, it is common to add こと to the end of the word, forming 過去のこと (things of the past).
Meaning: period of time that has already happened (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the kanji 過, meaning passing or error and 去, meaning leaving or gone.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use 過去 as an adjective to modify a noun, you must add the particle の after it, forming 過去の.
How do you pronounce it?
kako
Did you know?
- The kanji 過 in 過去 is also used to describe 'overdoing' something, such as drinking too much or exceeding a speed limit.
- In Buddhist terminology, which heavily influenced the Japanese language, 過去 is part of a triad called 三世, representing the past, present and future.
- The word 過去 is often used in Japanese pop culture and anime to describe a character's 'tragic backstory' through the phrase 過去編, meaning 'past arc'.
Examples in context
- 過去のことです。It's in the past.This sentence is useful for saying something is in the past using 過去.Tatoeba #11571854 by small_snow, translation #11512551 by megamanenm
- すべて過去のことです。It's all in the past.This sentence is useful for saying everything is in the past using 過去.Tatoeba #10792738 by small_snow, translation #10010937 by shekitten
- 僕は、過去を捨てたんだ。I abandoned my past.This sentence is useful for talking about abandoning one's past using 過去.Tatoeba #10906712 by small_snow, translation #13721364 by terrywallwork
- 町は 昔 、とても小さかった。The town was very small in the past.
- 戦後 の日本は経済が急速に発展しました。Japan experienced rapid economic development in the postwar era.
- 昔 、この町で育った。I grew up in this town in the past.
- 彼は 当然 のように合格した。He passed the exam as expected.
- 過去 の経験から学ぶことは大切です。Learning from past experiences is important.
- 51 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hina and Kenta are talking about their childhood hobbies.
- 陽葵 Himari健太さんは、過去に何かスポーツをしていましたか？Kenta-san wa, kako ni nanika supōtsu o shite imashita ka?Kenta, did you play any sports in the past?
- 健太 Kentaはい、過去にはサッカーを頑張っていました。Hai, kako ni wa sakkā o ganbatte imashita.Yes, I worked hard at soccer in the past.
- 陽葵 Himariすごいですね！今はもうやっていないんですか？Sugoi desu ne! Ima wa mō yatte inai n desu ka?That's great! You don't do it anymore now?
- 健太 Kentaええ、もう過去の話ですよ。Ee, mō kako no hanashi desu yo.Yeah, it's a thing of the past now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “past” translations and entries 過去, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
