Translation guide
The English word "past" covers several distinct concepts: time before now, a person's history, a location beyond something, and a grammatical tense. This guide breaks down these meanings and provides natural Japanese equivalents.
Referring to a period of time that has already happened, in general or in relation to the present.
in the past · the past few days · past events · past experience
The most direct and common translation for 'the past' as a noun. Used in both formal and everyday contexts.
It is important to learn from past events.
Let's stop looking back at the past.
Refers to the distant past, often with a nostalgic or storytelling nuance. Common in casual speech.
In the past, there was a forest here.
People in the past lived more in harmony with nature.
Means 'up until now' or 'so far', emphasizing the period leading to the present. Often used with experience or achievements.
I want to make use of my past experience.
Specifically means 'the past few days'. For other time periods, replace 数日 with 数週間 (few weeks), 数ヶ月 (few months), etc.
I haven't been feeling well the past few days.
Means 'before' or 'previously'. Often used in more formal contexts or when comparing with the present.
In the past, it was more lively.
Referring to someone's personal history, experiences, or background, often with a connotation of secrets or checkered history.
a person with a past · checkered past · shady past
Literally 'has a past', implying a notable or possibly secret history. Often used for someone with a mysterious or troubled background.
He seems to have some kind of past.
Refers to one's career or personal history in a neutral or formal sense, like a resume.
Specifically 'dark past', used for a troubled or criminal history.
She is hiding a dark past.
Describing movement that goes beyond a certain location or object.
walk past the store · drive past the school · go past the traffic light
Verb meaning 'to pass by' or 'go past'. The object is marked with を.
After you go past the store, please turn right.
He walked past my house.
Literally 'pass in front of'. More casual and common in speech than 通り過ぎる.
I go past the school every day.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to pass' (time or location). For location, it implies moving beyond a point.
Once you go past the station, the scenery changes.
Indicating a time after a certain point, especially on a clock.
half past three · ten past eight · quarter past twelve
Standard time-telling format. 'Half past three' is 3時30分 (さんじさんじゅっぷん). No direct equivalent of 'past'; simply state the minutes.
It's ten past three now.
The meeting is from half past eight.
Suffix meaning 'past' (time). Attached to the hour. Common in casual speech.
I arrived a little past 3:10.
Referring to the verb form that indicates an action or state in the past.
past tense · simple past · past participle
While 過去の means 'past' as an adjective, it can sound formal or stiff. For everyday phrases like 'past experience', これまでの経験 is often more natural than 過去の経験. Use 昔 for nostalgic or distant past.
昔 (むかし) is used for the distant past, often with a sense of nostalgia or storytelling. 過去 (かこ) is more neutral and can refer to any time before now, including recent past. In formal writing, 過去 is preferred.
In the past, people believed the earth was flat.
She walked past me without saying hello.
彼の経歴は素晴らしい。
His past (career) is impressive.
もう8時過ぎだよ。
It's already past eight.
It is said that Japanese does not have a strict past tense.