Past present and future
Core words, Stage 3chunk 25 of 76Life and time
Lets you talk about the past, the present and the future.
Mix-ups mirai is the big future; your own future is shourai.
jidai
era; period; days (of your life)
Also for periods of your own life: gakusei jidai (student days).
jidai ga chigau (times have changed) is a common line.
gakusei jidai wa okane nakatta naa.
I had no money back in my student days.
学生時代はお金なかったなあ。
gakusei jidai wa okane ga arimasen deshita.
I didn't have any money in my student days.
学生時代はお金がありませんでした。
Written 時代 · じだいRank #718 in 3,030 TV dramas
mirai
the future
The big, open-ended future.
Mix-up: your own future (career, plans) is usually shourai.
mirai no koto nante wakannai yo.
Nobody knows the future.
未来のことなんてわかんないよ。
mirai no koto wa wakarimasen yo.
No one can know the future.
未来のことはわかりませんよ。
Written 未来 · みらいRank #893 in 3,030 TV dramas
kako
the past
Often someone's history: kako no koto (what happened before).
For 'long ago', mukashi is often more natural.
kako no koto wa mou ii yo.
Let's forget about the past.
過去のことはもういいよ。
kako no koto wa mou ii desu.
The past doesn't matter anymore.
過去のことはもういいです。
Written 過去 · かこRank #916 in 3,030 TV dramas
genzai
now; currently; the present
Sounds formal, as on forms, news and announcements; in chat say ima.
genzaichi = 'you are here' on maps.
genzai no juusho, koko ni kaite ne.
Write your current address here.
現在の住所、ここに書いてね。
genzai no juusho o koko ni kaite kudasai.
Please write your current address here.
現在の住所をここに書いてください。
Written 現在 · げんざいRank #1194 in 3,030 TV dramas