JLPT N1 Advanced
嘗て
「かつて」
Once; formerly; never before (with negative)
Readings
Other forms
曽て rare kanji
1 Adverb, Noun (modifying with の)
Once" / "Formerly
Describes a past state or event that is significantly removed from the present, often implying that the situation has since changed.
Example
A この お城 は いつ 建てられた ん です か ？
B かつて ここ に 住んで いた 殿様 が 建てた そう です 。
[A:] When was this castle built? [B:] I heard that the lord who once lived here built it.
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2 Adverb
Never Before
Functions as a strong emphatic marker when paired with negation to indicate that something has never happened in history.
Usage notes & examples
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