Korean word

과거

Pronunciation

Romanizationkwageo

Meaning

  • nounpast

Example

그는 과거를 후회하지 않는다.keu neun kwa geo reul hu hoe ha ji an neun da

He does not regret the past.

Illustration for 과거 (past)

More examples

가끔 과거를 떠올리곤 한다.ka kkeum kwa geo reul tteo ol li gon han da

I sometimes think about the past.

Core concept

Time and events that have already gone by, viewed from the present.

Common phrases

  • 과거를 떠올리다kwa geo reul tteo ol li da

    recall the past

  • 과거를 잊다kwa geo reul it tta

    forget the past

  • 과거를 돌아보다kwa geo reul to ra bo da

    look back on the past

Similar words

예전yejeon: A former period or way of life seen from the present.
옛날yennal: The old days, especially a distant time remembered through stories.
전cheon: A point in time that was a certain amount of time before now.

Definition in Korean

지금과 대비되는 과거의 시간이나 사건을 가리키는 명사.chi geum gwa tae bi doe neun kwa geo ui si ga ni na sa geo neul ka ri ki neun myeong sa

Word origin

The Sino-Korean term is built from elements meaning pass and leave, giving it the image of time that has gone by.

Usage tips

  • This word refers to a time or event, while a Korean verb shows that an action happened before now through its changed form.

Opposites

Related words

  • 과거형kwageohyeongpast tensenoun
  • 과거사kwageosapast eventsnoun

Word lists with this word