Japanese symbol for “ago”

以前

いぜん

Romaji: izen

before; prior to; ago

In Japanese, ago is 以前, read いぜん (izen).

Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.

Meanings

n-suf before; prior to; ago
adv, n the past; before; previously; former times

Written forms: 以前、已前. Readings: いぜん.

Kanji and stroke order

以

by means of, because, in view of

on: イ
kun: もっ.て

5 strokes · JLPT 3

前

in front, before

on: ゼン
kun: まえ、-まえ

9 strokes · JLPT 4

Other Japanese words for “ago”

Word	Reading	Meaning
前	まえ mae	before; earlier; previously
今を去る	いまをさる imaosaru	ago; before the present
今を去ること	いまをさること imaosarukoto	dating back from now; ago

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

Word	Reading	Meaning
以上	いじょう ijou	not less than ...; ... and over; ... and above
以下	いか ika	not exceeding ...; not more than ...; ... and under
以来	いらい irai	since; henceforth
以内	いない inai	within; inside of; less than
以降	いこう ikou	on and after; from ... onward; since
名前	なまえ namae	name
お前	おまえ omae	you
前回	ぜんかい zenkai	previous time; last time; previous installment