Translation guide
Expressions for referring to a past misdeed, wrongdoing, or mistake in Japanese, ranging from formal terms for crimes to casual phrases for personal errors.
To refer to a past misdeed in a general sense, often with a formal or serious tone.
A common and neutral way to say 'past misdeed' or 'past mistake'. Suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
彼は過去の過ちを反省している。
He is reflecting on his past misdeeds.
Literally 'past sin/crime'. Used for serious wrongdoings, often with moral or legal implications.
彼は過去の罪を償うために働いている。
He is working to atone for his past sins.
Refers specifically to past delinquency or misconduct, often used in legal or educational contexts.
彼の過去の非行が明るみに出た。
His past misconduct came to light.
To refer to a personal mistake or failure in the past, often with a sense of regret.
The most common way to say 'past mistake/failure'. Used in everyday conversation.
過去の失敗を忘れて、前に進もう。
Forget past mistakes and move forward.
Similar to 過去の過ち but with a more personal, nostalgic tone. 'Mukashi' implies a longer time ago.
昔の過ちを今でも後悔している。
I still regret my past mistakes.
To refer to a past criminal act or offense in a legal context.
Means 'previous conviction' or 'criminal record'. Used in legal and formal contexts.
彼には前科がある。
He has a criminal record.
Literally 'past crime'. A straightforward term for a past criminal act.
過去の犯罪が彼の人生を変えた。
His past crime changed his life.
To express deep regret or shame about a past action, often in a confessional tone.
Slang for 'dark past' or 'shameful history', often used humorously or self-deprecatingly among younger people.
あの頃の自分は黒歴史だ。
My past self is a dark history.
Means 'stain' or 'blot', used metaphorically for a shameful act in one's past.
過ち (ayamachi) implies a moral or ethical mistake, while 失敗 (shippai) is a general failure or error. Use 過ち for serious wrongdoings and 失敗 for everyday mistakes.
それは若気の至りの過ちだった。
That was a youthful indiscretion.
試験に落ちたのは私の失敗だ。
Failing the exam was my mistake.
Directly translating 'past misdeed' as 過去の悪行 (kako no akugyou) is possible but sounds stiff and overly dramatic. Stick to the options above for natural Japanese.
That is a stain on his life.