Translation guide
Expresses that something has existed or been practiced since very old times. Japanese uses adverbial phrases, nouns, or set expressions depending on whether you are describing a continuous state, a tradition, or a historical origin.
To say that something has been true, practiced, or known continuously from ancient times until now.
The most common and natural way to say 'from ancient times' for ongoing states or traditions. Literally 'from old times'.
この祭りは古くから行われています。
This festival has been held from ancient times.
古くから伝わる言い伝えです。
It's a legend handed down from ancient times.
Very similar to 古くから, but slightly more casual and can refer to a less distant past. Often used in everyday speech.
昔からこの土地に住んでいます。
We have lived on this land from ancient times.
Emphatic, literary expression meaning 'since time immemorial' or 'from ancient antiquity'. Used in formal or poetic contexts.
太古の昔から人類は星を見上げてきた。
From ancient times, humans have looked up at the stars.
To state that something began or was created in ancient times, often with a focus on its historical roots.
Specifically refers to 'from ancient times' in a historical sense, often used for civilizations, artifacts, or documented history.
この遺跡は古代から残っています。
These ruins remain from ancient times.
古代から伝わる技術です。
It's a technique passed down from ancient times.
Means 'from very old times' or 'from ancient times' with a nuance of great antiquity, often used in storytelling or casual history.
大昔からこの山は神聖な場所とされてきた。
From ancient times, this mountain has been considered a sacred place.
A formal, somewhat literary noun or adverb meaning 'from ancient times'. Often used in written language or formal speeches.
To describe something as being 'from ancient times' in an attributive way, like 'an ancient custom'.
Used as a relative clause modifying a noun. Literally 'that exists from old times'.
この村には古くからある習慣がたくさんあります。
This village has many customs from ancient times.
Attributive form meaning 'from ancient times', often used for historical objects or traditions.
古代からの建造物が今も残っている。
Structures from ancient times still remain.
Both mean 'from old times', but 古くから feels slightly more formal and emphasizes continuous tradition, while 昔から is more casual and can refer to a broader range of past times, including recent history in some contexts.
Do not translate 'from ancient times' word-for-word as 古代の時から or similar. Use the natural adverbial phrases listed above.
It is a ritual handed down from ancient times.