原始人(げんしじん)

げんしじん
noun
primitive man; prehistoric human; caveman
person
1. primitive man; prehistoric human; caveman
humans from prehistoric times who lived before the development of civilization
原始人(げんしじん)は石器(せっき)を使(つか)っていた。
Primitive humans used stone tools.
博物館(はくぶつかん)で原始人(げんしじん)の生活(せいかつ)を再現(さいげん)した展示(てんじ)を見(み)た。
I saw an exhibit at the museum that recreated the lifestyle of prehistoric humans.
原始人(げんしじん)がどのように火(ひ)を使(つか)い始(はじ)めたかは、人類学(じんるいがく)の重要(じゅうよう)な研究(けんきゅう)テーマだ。
How primitive humans began to use fire is an important research topic in anthropology.
2. primitive person; caveman (figurative)
used humorously or critically to describe someone who is unsophisticated, technologically illiterate, or behind the times
スマホも使(つか)えないなんて、原始人(げんしじん)かよ。
You can't even use a smartphone? Are you a caveman?
キャッシュレスの時代(じだい)に現金(げんきん)しか使(つか)わないのは原始人(げんしじん)みたいだ。
Only using cash in the cashless era is like being a caveman.
友人(ゆうじん)に「まだガラケー使(つか)ってるの？原始人(げんしじん)じゃん」と言(い)われた。
My friend said to me, 'You're still using a flip phone? You're like a caveman.'

Composed of 原始(げんし) (primitive; primeval) + 人(じん) (person). In sense 1, it is a general term for early humans from the Stone Age or earlier. In sense 2, it is used as humorous slang to tease someone for being behind the times, especially regarding technology.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 古代人(こだいじん): ancient people — people from ancient civilizations (more advanced than 原始人(げんしじん))
  • 旧石器時代(きゅうせっきじだい)の人(ひと): Paleolithic people — a more precise historical term
  • 野蛮人(やばんじん): barbarian; savage — stronger and more offensive than 原始人(げんしじん)
general
Added 2026.5.1 0:34 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
26000/26306_genshijin