How to say "Past" in Japanese | 過去

If you are wondering what's the Japanese word for "Past" you've come to the right place!

The Japanese word for "Past" is "Kako", written in japanese as "過去"."Past" in hiragana is "かこ".

word

過去

Meaning

Past

Reading

かこ

Kanji

過Exceed, Error 去Past

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese noun '過去 (かこ)' means 'past'. It refers to a time that has already happened, or events that have occurred before the present. This word is often used in contexts discussing history, personal experiences, or time in general. For example: I cannot change the past「過去を変えることはできない」(かこをかえることはできない). He often talks about his past「彼はよく自分の過去について話す」(かれはよくじぶんのかこについてはなす). It can also be used in phrases like '過去の出来事 (かこのできごと)' (past events) or '過去を振り返る (かこをふりかえる)' (to look back on the past).

Kanji in this Word

This word contains 2 Kanji:

kanji

過

Meaning

Exceed, Error

Reading

onyomiかkunyomiすあやま

Parts

⻌Walk 咼

Handwriting

Example Word

過ぎ: excess. The Japanese suffix '過ぎ (すぎ)' is used to indicate that something is excessive or has gone beyond a certain limit. It is often attached to the stem of verbs or adjectives to convey this meaning. For example: he ate too much「彼は食べ過ぎた」(かれはたべすぎた). This coffee is too sweet「このコーヒーは甘すぎる」(このコーヒーはあますぎる). The suffix can also be used with nouns to indicate that something is too much of a particular thing, as in '働き過ぎ (はたらきすぎ) (overworking)'. It's important to note that '過ぎ' can also be used as a standalone noun meaning 'excess' or 'surplus', but this usage is less common.

kanji

去

Meaning

Past

Reading

kunyomiさonyomiこきょ

Parts

厶Private 土Soil

Handwriting

Example Word

去年: last year. The Japanese noun '去年 (きょねん)' means 'last year'. It is used to refer to the year immediately preceding the current one. This word is commonly used in everyday conversation and writing to indicate events or situations that occurred in the previous year. For example: I went to Japan last year「去年、日本に行きました」(きょねん、にほんにいきました). Last year was very busy「去年はとても忙しかった」(きょねんはとてもいそがしかった). It is important to note that '去年' is a specific term and should not be confused with '昨年 (さくねん)', which is a more formal term also meaning 'last year'.

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What does "Kako" mean in japanese?

"Kako" means "Past" .

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Related Words "過"

This word contains the kanji "過" which is also found in the following words:

word

過ぎる

Meaning

Pass, Exceed

Reading

すぎる

Kanji

過Exceed, Error

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese verb '過ぎる (すぎる)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'to exceed' or 'to go beyond', often used to indicate that something has surpassed a certain limit or expectation. For example: The time has exceeded 10 minutes「時間が10分過ぎた」(じかんがじゅっぷんすぎた). The second meaning is 'to pass', as in time or a location. For example: The train has already passed the station「電車はもう駅を過ぎた」(でんしゃはもうえきをすぎた). It can also be used in a more abstract sense, such as 'to pass by' in terms of time: The summer has passed「夏が過ぎた」(なつがすぎた). The verb is often used in combination with other words to form compound verbs, such as '飲み過ぎる (のみすぎる)' meaning 'to drink too much'.

word

通過

Meaning

Passage

Reading

つうか

Kanji

通Commute, Pass 過Exceed, Error

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese verbal noun '通過 (つうか)' means 'passage' or 'passing through'. It is used to describe the act of moving through a place, area, or situation without stopping or being significantly affected. This word is often used in contexts like transportation, where it refers to passing through a station or checkpoint without stopping, or in abstract situations, such as passing through a phase or stage. For example: The train passed through the station without stopping「電車は駅を通過した」(でんしゃはえきをつうかした). He passed through a difficult time「彼は困難な時期を通過した」(かれはこんなんなじきをつうかした). Note that '通過' can also imply a sense of transition or progression, depending on the context.

word

昼過ぎ

Meaning

Afternoon

Reading

ひるすぎ

Kanji

昼Daytime, Noon 過Exceed, Error

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese noun '昼過ぎ (ひるすぎ)' refers to the time period in the early afternoon, specifically after midday. It is used to describe the time when the sun is past its highest point but still relatively early in the afternoon. For example: I will go shopping in the afternoon「昼過ぎに買い物に行きます」(ひるすぎにかいものにいきます). The meeting is scheduled for the afternoon「会議は昼過ぎに予定されています」(かいぎはひるすぎによていされています). This term is commonly used in daily conversations to indicate a specific time frame during the day.

word

過程

Meaning

Process

Reading

かてい

Kanji

過Exceed, Error 程Order, Extent

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese noun '過程 (かてい)' means 'process'. It refers to a series of actions, changes, or functions that lead to a particular result or outcome. This word is often used in contexts where the focus is on the steps or stages involved in achieving something, rather than just the end result. For example: the process of making bread「パンを作る過程」(パンをつくるかてい). The process of learning a new language「新しい言語を学ぶ過程」(あたらしいげんごをまなぶかてい). It can also be used in more abstract contexts, such as the process of personal growth「個人の成長の過程」(こじんのせいちょうのかてい).

word

過ごす

Meaning

Spend

Reading

すごす

Kanji

過Exceed, Error

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese verb '過ごす (すごす)' means 'to spend' time or to pass time in a certain way. It is commonly used to describe how one spends their time, whether it's a day, a season, or a period of life. For example: I spent the summer in Hokkaido「夏を北海道で過ごした」(なつをほっかいどうですごした). We spent a pleasant evening together「楽しい夜を一緒に過ごした」(たのしいよるをいっしょにすごした). The verb can also imply the manner in which time is spent, such as leisurely or busily. It is a versatile verb that can be used in various contexts to describe the passage of time.

Related Words "去"

This word contains the kanji "去" which is also found in the following words:

word

去る

Meaning

Leave

Reading

さる

Kanji

去Past

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese verb '去る (さる)' means 'to leave' or 'to depart'. It is often used to describe someone or something moving away from a place or situation. This verb can also imply a sense of finality or separation. For example: he left the room「彼は部屋を去った」(かれはへやをさった). The train has departed「電車は去った」(でんしゃはさった). In some contexts, '去る' can also be used metaphorically to describe the passage of time or the end of an era, such as 'the old year has passed「旧年が去った」(きゅうねんがさった)'. Note that this verb is somewhat formal and is often used in written or formal spoken contexts.

word

去年

Meaning

Last year

Reading

きょねん

Kanji

去Past 年Year

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese noun '去年 (きょねん)' means 'last year'. It is used to refer to the year immediately preceding the current one. This word is commonly used in everyday conversation and writing to indicate events or situations that occurred in the previous year. For example: I went to Japan last year「去年、日本に行きました」(きょねん、にほんにいきました). Last year was very busy「去年はとても忙しかった」(きょねんはとてもいそがしかった). It is important to note that '去年' is a specific term and should not be confused with '昨年 (さくねん)', which is a more formal term also meaning 'last year'.