Translation guide
In Japanese, referring to an ex-girlfriend depends on context, gender of the speaker, and the nature of the relationship. The most common and neutral term is 元カノ (motokano), but other expressions exist for formal, casual, or specific situations.
To refer to a past girlfriend in everyday conversation.
The most common and neutral term for 'ex-girlfriend'. Used by both men and women, though more often by men. Suitable for casual conversation.
昨日、元カノにばったり会った。
I ran into my ex-girlfriend yesterday.
元カノのことをまだ忘れられない。
I still can't forget my ex-girlfriend.
A slightly more formal or written version of 元カノ. Can be used by anyone, but less common in casual speech.
元彼女とは今でも友達です。
I'm still friends with my ex-girlfriend.
To refer to an ex-girlfriend in formal or written contexts.
A formal, descriptive phrase meaning 'the girlfriend I used to date'. Used in polite conversation or writing.
以前付き合っていた彼女が結婚したと聞きました。
I heard that my ex-girlfriend got married.
Literally 'previous girlfriend'. Slightly less formal than the above, but still polite. Common in speech.
前の彼女とは価値観が合わなかった。
My ex-girlfriend and I didn't share the same values.
When a woman refers to her own ex-girlfriend (in a same-sex relationship).
Women in same-sex relationships also use 元カノ to refer to their ex-girlfriend. It is gender-neutral in practice.
私の元カノは今、海外に住んでいます。
My ex-girlfriend now lives abroad.
To refer to an ex-girlfriend with emotional nuance, such as a first love.
Means 'first love'. Can be used to refer to an ex-girlfriend if she was the speaker's first love, but it emphasizes the emotional significance rather than just the ex-status.
初恋の人は高校時代の彼女でした。
My first love was my high school girlfriend.
Do not directly translate 'ex-girlfriend' as 前彼女 (まえかのじょ) without context; while understandable, it's less natural than 元カノ or 元彼女. Also, avoid using 元ガールフレンド, which sounds like a loanword and is not idiomatic.
元カノ is casual and very common in spoken Japanese. 元彼女 is slightly more formal and can be used in writing. Both are acceptable, but 元カノ is the default in daily conversation.