Japanese word

昔

Pronunciation

Romajimukashi

Meaning

  • adverblong ago

Example

昔、ここに住んでいました。mukashi ko ko ni su n de i ma shi ta

I lived here long ago.

Illustration for 昔 (long ago)

More examples

昔は毎朝、近所を走っていました。mukashi wa mai asa kin jo o hashi tte i ma shi ta

In the past, I ran around my neighborhood every morning.

Core concept

Places an event in a past period that is separated from the present by time or changing circumstances.

Common phrases

  • 昔はmukashi wa

    in the past

  • 昔からmukashi ka ra

    since long ago

Similar words

以前izen: At an earlier time, including a time that is not far in the past.
かつてkatsute: At some time in the past, often describing a former state or situation.

Definition in Japanese

今よりも前の遠い時期に。ima yo ri mo mae no tō i ji ki ni

Word origin

昔 (mukashi) is a native Japanese word whose original formation is uncertain, but its recorded use expresses a time long before the present.

Usage tips

  • The phrase 昔々 (mukashi mukashi) appears at the start of many Japanese folk tales, much like "once upon a time."

Other meanings

  • the old daysnoun
  • the pastnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word