1.
primitive era; prehistoric times
The earliest period of human history before the development of writing and civilization, when humans lived as hunter-gatherers.
原始時代の人々は狩猟で生活していた。
People in prehistoric times lived by hunting.
原始時代の道具が博物館に展示されている。
Tools from the primitive era are displayed in the museum.
原始時代から人間は火を使って生活を豊かにしてきた。
Since prehistoric times, humans have enriched their lives by using fire.
A compound of 原始 (primitive; primeval) and 時代 (era; age). Used in history, anthropology, and general discussion to refer to the earliest stage of human existence. Sometimes used loosely or figuratively to describe something extremely outdated.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 原始時代の人間: primitive humans
- 原始時代の生活: life in prehistoric times
- 原始時代から: since prehistoric times
- 原始時代の遺跡: prehistoric ruins
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 先史時代: prehistoric era — a more academic term specifically meaning the period before written records
- 古代: ancient times — a later period when civilizations had already formed, with writing and organized society
- 石器時代: Stone Age — refers specifically to the period defined by the use of stone tools