ひところ

ひ

と

こ

ろ

JLPTN1

Meanings

noun, adverb

once; some time ago; at one time

usually written using kana alone

Refers to a period in the past, often implying that the situation has since changed. Used both as a noun and adverbially.

ひところはこの町まちも賑にぎやかだった。
At one time, this town was lively too.
ひところに比くらべると、今いまはだいぶ落おち着ついた。
Compared to some time ago, things have calmed down a lot now.

Usage patterns

一頃ひころは〈事くじ〉だったthere was a time when...
一ひ頃ころは毎まい日にち残ざん業ぎょうしていた。
There was a time when I worked overtime every day.
一ひ頃ころに比くらべてcompared to that earlier time
一ひ頃ころに比くらべて、物ぶっ価かがずいぶん上あがった。
Compared to some time ago, prices have risen quite a bit.
一頃流行ひころはやった〈物もの〉〉something that was popular for a time
一ひ頃ころ流行はやったファッションが最さい近きんまた人にん気きになっている。
A fashion that was popular some time ago is becoming popular again recently.

Kanji

一one, one radical (no.1)
頃time, about, toward

Related words

かつてN2
一頃 is conversational and highlights a past period that contrasts with the present, while かつて is more formal or literary and often used for historical facts.
以い前ぜんN3
以前 neutrally means 'before' without implying change, whereas 一頃 stresses a distinct past phase that has since ended.
一いち時じN4
一時 is a more neutral, often written term for 'for a while/at one time', while 一頃 carries a stronger sense of contrast with the present situation.
一いち時じ期き
一頃 is a slightly literary word meaning 'at one time in the past', very close to 一時期 but used less in casual conversation.

Built from

一ひと+頃ころ

Written forms

ひところUsage89%
Usually written in kana; the kanji forms 一頃 and 一ころ are rare and may not be recognized by all readers.
一ひと頃ころUsage10%
Kanji spelling; rarely used in modern writing.
一ひところUsage1%
Mixed kanji-kana spelling; very rare.

Etymology

Compound of 一 (hito, 'one') and 頃 (koro, 'time, period'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it has been used since at least the Edo period to refer to a certain past time.