Translation guide
The English word "history" can refer to the academic study of the past, a record or narrative of past events, or the past events themselves. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression based on the intended meaning.
Referring to history as a field of study, school subject, or academic discipline.
The standard word for history as an academic subject or the study of past events. Used in school, university, and general contexts.
私は大学で歴史を専攻しています。
I'm majoring in history at university.
歴史の授業はとても面白いです。
History classes are very interesting.
Referring to a written account, chronicle, or story about what happened in the past.
Can also mean a written history or historical account. Often used in titles of books or articles.
Referring to things that happened in the past, often in a general or abstract sense.
The most common way to refer to past events collectively. Can be used in phrases like 'throughout history' or 'in history'.
Referring to a person's medical background or past experiences.
Referring to a log or record of past actions, such as in computing.
Used for logs or records of actions, such as browser history, search history, or transaction history.
歴史 (rekishi) refers to history as a recorded narrative or academic study. 過去 (kako) simply means 'the past' as a time period. Use 歴史 when talking about historical events or the discipline, and 過去 when referring to bygone times in a general sense.
歴史を学ぶのは楽しい。
Learning history is fun.
過去の過ちから学ぶ。
Learn from past mistakes.
When talking about your own past experiences or background, 歴史 can sound overly grand or literary. Use 過去 or more specific terms like 経歴 (career) or 生い立ち (upbringing) instead.
歴史は私の一番好きな科目です。
History is my favorite subject.
その町には長い歴史があります。
The town has a long history.
検索履歴を削除しました。
I deleted my search history.
これは日本の歴史についての本です。
This is a book about the history of Japan.
Refers to the history or development of an organization, institution, or place. Often used in formal contexts like company profiles.
当社の沿革をご紹介します。
We will introduce the history of our company.
A person's personal history or background. Somewhat formal and less common in everyday speech.
彼の来歴は不明だ。
His personal history is unknown.
歴史は繰り返すと言われる。
It is said that history repeats itself.
これは歴史上の重要な出来事だ。
This is an important event in history.
Means 'the past' in a general sense, not necessarily recorded history. Used when contrasting with present or future.
Do not use 過去 when specifically referring to the academic study of history; use 歴史 instead.
過去のことは忘れよう。
Let's forget about the past.
Refers to the details or circumstances of how something came about; the background or process leading up to a situation. Often used in business or formal explanations.
この問題の経緯を説明してください。
Please explain the background of this issue.
Refers to a personal record or history, such as work history (職歴) or educational background (学歴). Often used in compounds.
履歴書を提出してください。
Please submit your resume (personal history).
Medical history. Used in healthcare settings.
病歴を教えてください。
Please tell me your medical history.
Past medical history, specifically previous illnesses or conditions. Common in medical forms.
既往歴はありますか？
Do you have any past medical history?
ブラウザの履歴を消去した。
I cleared my browser history.
検索履歴を表示する。
Show search history.
Sometimes used in computing contexts, but 履歴 is more common and precise.
閲覧の歴史を消す方法を教えて。
Tell me how to clear browsing history.
自分の過去について話すのは難しい。
It's hard to talk about my past.
自分の過去について話すのは難しい。
It's hard to talk about my past.