昔
昔·long ago, former times
- On-yomi
- セキシャク
- Kun-yomi
- むかし
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 昔 | むかし | long ago, the old days |
| 昔話 | むかしばなし | old tale, folk story |
| 大昔 | おおむかし | ancient times, ages ago |
| 今昔 | こんじゃく | past and present |
Example sentences
昔、この町に小さな駅がありました。
むかし、このまちにちいさなえきがありました。
Long ago there was a small station in this town.
祖母はよく昔話をしてくれます。
そぼはよくむかしばなしをしてくれます。
My grandmother often tells me old stories.
昔に比べて、生活が便利になりました。
むかしにくらべて、せいかつがべんりになりました。
Compared with the old days, life has become convenient.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Using 昔 for the recent past — it means a long time ago, not last week (この前)
- Reading 昔話 as *むかしわ instead of むかしばなし
Memory aid
Picture it
Stacked layers piled on top of a sun (日) — many days stacked up behind you.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 昔 mean?