一ひと昔むかし前まえ

noun

a long time ago; a generation ago; in the old days

Refers to a time roughly one generation or a decade or so in the past, not ancient history. Often used when contrasting past customs or situations with the present.

• 一ひと昔むかし前まえは、携けい帯たい電でん話わを持もっている人ひとは少すくなかった。

  A generation ago, few people had mobile phones.

• この町まちも一ひと昔むかし前まえとはずいぶん変かわった。

  This town has changed a lot from what it was a generation ago.