とう
と
う
Meanings
1
dated termusually written using kana alone
Dated adverb; in modern Japanese, 早く or 速く are far more common. Still encountered in older literature or fixed expressions.
He quickly left.
2
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
dated termusually written using kana alone
Dated noun/adjectival use; often appears in the phrase とうの昔 (とうのむかし) meaning 'long ago' or 'ages ago'. Modern equivalents include ずっと前 or とっくに.
That's a story that ended a long time ago.
Expressions
- とっくのとうa long time ago; long since