Japanese word

過去

Pronunciation

Romajikako

Meaning

  • nounpast, the past

Example

私は過去のことを考えます。watashi wa ka ko no ko to o kanga e ma su

I think about the past.

Illustration for 過去 (past)

More examples

わたしは過去を思い出します。wa ta shi wa ka ko o omo i da shi ma su

I remember the past.

過去の失敗を繰り返さないようにします。ka ko no ship pai o ku ri kae sa na i yō ni shi ma su

I try not to repeat past mistakes.

Core concept

Covers the time and events that lie behind the present.

Common phrases

  • 過去の話ka ko no hanashi

    story about the past

  • 過去を振り返るka ko o fu ri kae ru

    look back on the past

  • 過去を忘れるka ko o wasu re ru

    forget the past

Similar words

昔mukashi: A long time before the present, especially in earlier days.
以前izen: An earlier time or occasion before a stated point.
前mae: A time before the present or another stated time.

Definition in Japanese

現在より前の時期や、すでに起こった事柄。gen zai yo ri mae no ji ki ya su de ni o ko tta koto gara

Word origin

過去 (kako) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 過 (ka, "pass") and 去 (ko, "go away"), expressing what has passed away from the present.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, 過去 (kako) often refers to a person's earlier experiences or life before the present.

Opposites

Word lists with this word