Translation and Meaning of: 過去 - kako

If you are studying Japanese or are curious about the language, you may have come across the word 過去[かこ]. It appears in various contexts, from everyday conversations to songs and animes. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and how it is used in Japanese culture. Furthermore, we will see practical tips for memorizing it and examples of how it appears in daily life.

Meaning and translation of 過去[かこ]

The word 過去[かこ] means "past". It refers to events, moments, or periods that have already happened. Unlike other words that may have temporal nuances, 過去 is quite straightforward and comprehensive, and can be used for both the recent past and distant eras.

In the Suki Nihongo dictionary, you will find 過去 as a common and essential term for those looking to expand their vocabulary in Japanese. It is often used in phrases like 過去を振り返る (to look back at the past) or 過去の出来事 (past events).

Origin and writing of the kanji 過去

The kanji 過去 is composed of two characters: 過 (to , to exceed) and 去 (to go away, to leave). Together, they convey the idea of "what has already ed." This combination is quite logical and helps to understand why the word carries this meaning.

It is worth noting that 過 alone can appear in other contexts, such as 過ぎる (sugiru - to /exceed), while 去 is used in words like 去年 (kyonen - last year). Knowing these radicals can make it easier to memorize not only 過去 but also other related .

How 過去 is used in everyday Japanese.

In daily life, the Japanese use 過去 to talk about personal stories, historical events, or even in reflections. For example, someone might say 過去の失敗から学ぶ (learn from past mistakes) in a more serious conversation. In informal contexts, the word can appear in phrases like 過去の話はもういいよ (enough talking about the past).

An interesting fact is that 過去 also appears in fixed expressions, such as 過去形 (kakokei - past tense in grammar) or 過去問 (kakomon - past exam questions). If you are studying for the JLPT, for example, you will come across the latter frequently.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 昔 (mukashi) - In ancient times.
• 以前 (izen) - Before, previously, in the recent past.
• 先 (saki) - Before, ahead, near future.
• 前 (mae) - Before, in front; used to indicate position or time.
• 古 (furui) - Old, ancient.
• 故 (ko) - Deceased, due to; refers to something that is no longer present.
• 先代 (sendai) - Previous generation, predecessor.
• 先人 (senjin) - Ancestors, people who lived before.
• 先輩 (senpai) - Seniors, superiors; someone more experienced in a specific context.
• 先祖 (senzo) - Ancestors, direct ancestors.
• 先達 (sendatsu) - People who came before, guides, leaders who have experience.
• 先行 (senkō) - Previous promotion, something that precedes another thing.
• 先例 (senrei) - Precedent, an example to be followed.
• 先行例 (senkōrei) - Previous example that is followed or considered.
• 先例に従って (senrei ni shitagatte) - Following the precedent.
• 先例に倣って (senrei ni naratte) - Emulating the precedent.
• 先例に則って (senrei ni noratte) - Adhering to the precedent.
• 先例に従い (senrei ni shitagai) - According to the precedent.
• 先例に倣い (senrei ni narai) - Following the previous example.
• 先例に則り (senrei ni norari) - According to the precedent.
• 先例に基づいて (senrei ni motozuite) - Based on the precedent.
• 先例に基づき (senrei ni motozuki) - Grounded in the precedent.
• 先例に従って行動する (senrei ni shitagatte kōdō suru) - Act according to the precedent.
• 先例に倣って行動する (senrei ni naratte kōdō suru) - Act in accordance with the previous example.
• 先例に則って行動する (senrei ni noratte kōdō suru) - Act according to the precedent.
• 先例に従った (senrei ni shitagatta) - It followed the precedent.
• 先例に倣った (senrei ni naratta) - Emulated the previous example.
• 先例に則った (senrei ni noratta) - Adhered to the precedent.
• 先例に基づいた (senrei ni motoita) - It was based on precedent.