Past & Experience Lesson 1
Learn how to express past experiences using the た-form and the ことがある structure to talk about things you have done in your life.
Sharing Stories
Have you ever traveled to Japan? Or perhaps you have tried sushi for the first time recently? When we talk about our lives, we often need to distinguish between things we did once in the past and things we have experienced at least once in our lifetime.
にほん に いった ことが ありますか。
日本に行ったことがありますか。
Have you ever been to Japan?
はい、きょねん いきました。
はい、去年行きました。
Yes, I went last year.
The Grammar of Experience
To express that you have the experience of doing something, we use the plain past form (た-form) of a verb followed by ことがある.
Tip
Seeing it in Action
Here are common ways to use this structure.
寿司を食べたことがあります。
I have eaten sushi before.
富士山に登ったことがありますか。
Have you ever climbed Mt. Fuji?
私は北海道へ行った【こと】があります。
Hint: The word for 'experience' or 'thing'.
I have been to Hokkaido.
Nuance and Usage
It is important to distinguish between a specific past action and a general life experience.
Experience vs. Specific Past
日本に行ったことがあります
I have been to Japan (at some point in my life).
Experience
日本に行きました
I went to Japan (e.g., last year).
Specific past
Which sentence is more appropriate if you are talking about a specific event that happened yesterday?
- 映画を見たことがあります。
- ✓ 映画を見ました。
Use the simple past (見ました) for specific times like 'yesterday'. ことがある is for general life experience.
Deep Dive: Negative Experiences
You can also express that you have never done something.
納豆を食べたことがありません。
I have never eaten natto.
Lesson Summary
You have learned how to use the た-form + ことがある to discuss life experiences. This is an essential tool for conversation when sharing your background or asking others about theirs.