紀元(きげん)

きげん
noun
era, epoch; the Christian era (A.D.)
academictime-period
See also: 起源(きげん) (origin, genesis), 期限(きげん) (deadline, time limit), 機嫌(きげん) (mood, humor)
1. era, epoch, the beginning of an era
The starting point of a calendar system or historical era. Often refers to the beginning of the Common Era (A.D.) or the founding of a civilization.
紀元(きげん)前後(ぜんご)の歴史(れきし)を学(まな)ぶ。
Study history from around the beginning of the Common Era.
日本(にほん)の皇紀(こうき)は神武天皇(じんむてんのう)即位(そくい)を紀元(きげん)とする。
Japan's imperial calendar takes the enthronement of Emperor Jimmu as its epoch.
キリスト教(きょう)の暦(こよみ)では、イエスの誕生(たんじょう)が紀元(きげん)の基準(きじゅん)になっている。
In the Christian calendar, the birth of Jesus serves as the reference point for the era.
2. A.D., the year (of the Common Era)
Used with year numbers to indicate dates in the Western calendar system. Often contrasted with 紀元前(きげんぜん) (B.C.).
紀元(きげん)79年(ねん)にポンペイが滅(ほろ)びた。
Pompeii was destroyed in 79 A.D.
ローマ帝国(ていこく)は紀元(きげん)476年(ねん)に滅亡(めつぼう)した。
The Roman Empire fell in 476 A.D.
この遺跡(いせき)は紀元(きげん)3世紀(せいき)ごろのものと推定(すいてい)されている。
These ruins are estimated to date from around the 3rd century A.D.

Usage

紀元(きげん) by itself typically refers to the Common Era (A.D.). To specify B.C., use 紀元前(きげんぜん). In academic and historical writing, 紀元(きげん) may be abbreviated as 紀元(きげん)後(ご) (A.D.) to contrast with 紀元前(きげんぜん) (B.C.).

Watch out

Not to be confused with 期限(きげん) (deadline, time limit) or 機嫌(きげん) (mood, humor).

Common collocations

  • 紀元前(きげんぜん): B.C., before the Common Era
  • 紀元後(きげんご): A.D., after the Common Era
  • 紀元(きげん)○年(ねん): year ○ A.D.
  • 皇紀(こうき): Japanese imperial era dating

Related Words

Related: 紀元前(きげんぜん) (B.C.)
general
Added 2026.2.27 14:05 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
13500/13822_kigen