Translation guide
The English phrase "one's past" refers to a person's history, previous experiences, or earlier life. In Japanese, expressing this concept depends heavily on context, formality, and the specific nuance (e.g., personal history, checkered past, past events). This guide covers common ways to talk about one's past naturally.
Referring to one's own life experiences, upbringing, or personal history in a neutral or reflective way.
The most direct and common word for 'past'. It can be used for personal past as well as historical past. Neutral in tone.
自分の過去を振り返る。
I reflect on my past.
過去の経験が今の自分を作っている。
My past experiences have shaped who I am today.
Literally 'the life up until now'. Emphasizes the entirety of one's life journey. Often used in reflective or narrative contexts.
これまでの人生で一番嬉しかったことは何ですか？
What was the happiest moment in your life so far?
Refers to one's career, personal history, or background, often in formal contexts like resumes or introductions. More about the factual timeline of one's life.
彼の経歴はとてもユニークだ。
His background is very unique.
A somewhat literary or old-fashioned term for one's personal history, circumstances, or life story. Often used in phrases like 身の上話 (life story).
彼女は自分の身の上を語り始めた。
She began to tell her life story.
Referring to a past that includes mistakes, secrets, or disreputable events. Often used when someone wants to hide or overcome their past.
Literally 'dark past'. Commonly used to describe a past with shameful or painful events.
彼には暗い過去がある。
He has a dark past.
Means 'past mistakes' or 'errors of the past'. Focuses on specific wrongdoings.
過去の過ちを繰り返さないようにする。
I try not to repeat my past mistakes.
Specifically means 'criminal record' or 'previous conviction'. Used in legal or serious contexts.
Referring to events, incidents, or situations that occurred in the past, without necessarily focusing on personal history.
Again, the general word for 'past'. Can be used for events as well as personal history.
過去の出来事から学ぶ。
Learn from past events.
Means 'old times' or 'long ago'. More casual and often used in storytelling or reminiscing.
Means 'before' or 'previously'. Often used in more formal or written contexts to refer to a time before now.
Expressing the idea of forgetting or overcoming one's past, or not dwelling on it.
Literally 'throw away the past'. Strong expression for completely abandoning one's past.
彼は過去を捨てて新しい人生を始めた。
He left his past behind and started a new life.
Idiom meaning 'let bygones be bygones' or 'forgive and forget'. Literally 'let the past flow away in water'.
過去を水に流して、仲直りしよう。
Let's let bygones be bygones and make up.
Means 'not dwell on the past' or 'not be hung up on the past'.
過去にこだわらず、前を向いて生きよう。
Let's live looking forward, without dwelling on the past.
English often uses 'one's' as an impersonal possessive. In Japanese, you usually specify whose past it is (自分の, 彼の, etc.) or omit the possessive if it's clear from context. Do not try to translate 'one's' directly with a generic pronoun; it will sound unnatural.
過去 is more formal and can refer to any past time, including recent past. 昔 feels more distant and nostalgic, often used in casual conversation. For personal history, 過去 is safer; for storytelling, 昔 is common.
過去に縛られるな。
Don't let your past define you.
A strong, direct way to say this. 縛られる means 'be bound/tied'.
彼女は自分の過去について決して話さない。
She never talks about her past.
I checked whether he has a criminal record.
A long time ago, this place was the sea.
I have met him before.