the late; the deceased
Prefix attached to names or titles to indicate that the person has passed away. Formal and respectful.
A memorial service was held for the late Mr. Yamada.
We honor the achievements of the late Mr. Taro Yamada.
The policies of the late Prime Minister Tanaka still have an influence today.
A lecture was held to commemorate the achievements of the late Professor Tanaka.
accident; incident; trouble · circumstances; reasons
breakdown; malfunction; being out of order · injury; damage to a body part; hurt · problem; hitch; obstacle · objection; protest
hometown; birthplace; native place
intentional act; deliberate intention; bad faith · mens rea; guilty mind; criminal intent
death (of a person); passing away
wastepaper; scrap paper
historical event; ancient event · tradition; folklore; legend; origin
connection; relation; affinity
one's native land; one's homeland
From classical Chinese, where 故 means 'old', 'former', or 'deceased'. The prefix usage in Japanese is directly borrowed from this meaning.
worldly affairs; the ways of the world
the deceased; the departed · old friend; longtime acquaintance
authentic precedent; classical allusion
unusual event; accident; change for the worse
one's former master
one's former self
former residence; former land · place remembered for a connection to someone
ancient practices; old customs
one's native place; hometown
old acquaintance; old friend
voluntary manslaughter · killing with intent