English–Japanese
“former” in Japanese
How to say “former” in Japanese
“Former” in Japanese is 元 (moto). 元 can also mean “original”.
Connects a person or thing with a past position, relationship, or starting point rather than with its current one.
Example sentences with 元
おもちゃを元の場所に戻します。o mo cha o moto no ba sho ni modo shi ma su
I put the toy back in its original place.
卒業後も、元のクラスメートと連絡を取っています。sotsu gyō go mo moto no ku ra su mē to to ren raku o to tte i ma su
Even after graduation, I still keep in touch with my former classmate.
Tips for using 元
- The kanji 元 (moto) also covers origin and source, so the following noun or the surrounding topic usually determines which sense is intended.
Other Japanese words for “former”
旧住所を教えてください。kyū jū sho o oshi e te ku da sa i
Please tell me your former address.
二つの案を比べて、前者に賛成します。futa tsu no an o kura be te zen sha ni san sei shi ma su
After comparing the two plans, I support the former.