原始的(げんしてき)

げんしてき
na-adjective
primitive; primeval; rudimentary
descriptivehistory
1. primitive; primeval; rudimentary
resembling or characteristic of an early stage of development; lacking modern sophistication or technology; basic and undeveloped
原始的(げんしてき)な道具(どうぐ)を使(つか)う。
To use primitive tools.
この村(むら)は原始的(げんしてき)な生活(せいかつ)が残(のこ)っている。
A primitive way of life remains in this village.
原始的(げんしてき)な方法(ほうほう)だが、確実(かくじつ)に効果(こうか)がある。
It's a primitive method, but it is reliably effective.
人類(じんるい)は原始的(げんしてき)な社会(しゃかい)から複雑(ふくざつ)な文明(ぶんめい)を築(きず)いてきた。
Humanity has built complex civilizations from primitive societies.

Describes things that are characteristic of an early, undeveloped stage. Can be used objectively in academic contexts (referring to early human societies or basic organisms) or judgmentally to criticize something as unsophisticated. Can also carry a positive nuance when emphasizing the appeal of simplicity or closeness to nature.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 未開(みかい): uncivilized, undeveloped — stronger negative judgment; considered potentially offensive when describing peoples
  • 素朴(そぼく): simple, unsophisticated — positive nuance emphasizing natural charm or sincerity
  • 初歩的(しょほてき): elementary, basic — describes a beginner level, not an ancient or undeveloped state

Etymology

Composed of 原始(げんし) (origin, beginning) + 的(てき) (adjectival suffix). 原(げん) means origin and 始(し) means beginning.

Related Words

Compare: 未開(みかい) (uncivilized, undeveloped)
Compare: 素朴(そぼく) (simple, unsophisticated)
Compare: 初歩的(しょほてき) (elementary, basic)
general
Added 2026.4.4 6:23 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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