1.
B.C., before the Common Era, BCE
The period before the year 1 in the Western calendar system. Used with year numbers to indicate dates before the Common Era.
紀元前3世紀の遺跡だ。
These are ruins from the 3rd century B.C.
エジプトの大ピラミッドは紀元前2500年ごろに建てられた。
The Great Pyramid of Egypt was built around 2500 B.C.
紀元前5世紀のアテネでは、民主政治が発展していた。
In 5th century B.C. Athens, democracy was flourishing.
USAGE:
Always placed before the year number: 紀元前○○年. This is the opposite of English word order ("500 B.C." → 紀元前500年). Abbreviated as B.C. in English or sometimes written as 前○○年 in shorthand.
WORD FORMATION:
紀元 (era/epoch) + 前 (before) — literally "before the era."
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 紀元前○○年: ○○ B.C.
- 紀元前○世紀: ○th century B.C.
- 紀元前から紀元後にかけて: from B.C. to A.D.
Related Words
Related:
紀元