原始時代(げんしじだい)

げんしじだい
noun
primitive era; prehistoric times
historytime-period
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(げんしじだい)の人々(ひとびと)は狩猟(しゅりょう)で生活(せいかつ)していた。
People in prehistoric times lived by hunting.
原始時代(げんしじだい)の道具(どうぐ)が博物館(はくぶつかん)に展示(てんじ)されている。
Tools from the primitive era are displayed in the museum.
原始時代(げんしじだい)から人間(にんげん)は火(ひ)を使(つか)って生活(せいかつ)を豊(ゆた)かにしてきた。
Since prehistoric times, humans have enriched their lives by using fire.

A compound of 原始(げんし) (primitive; primeval) and 時代(じだい) (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 Sometimes used loosely or figuratively to describe something extremely outdated.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

Similar words

  • 先史時代(せんしじだい): prehistoric era — a more academic term specifically meaning the period before written records
  • 古代(こだい): ancient times — a later period when civilizations had already formed, with writing and organized society
  • 石器時代(せっきじだい): Stone Age — refers specifically to the period defined by the use of stone tools

Related Words

Compare: 先史(せんし)時代(じだい) (prehistoric era)
Compare: 古代(こだい) (ancient times)
Related: 先史(せんし) (prehistory)
general
Added 2026.4.28 22:34 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
25500/25951_genshijidai