時代
jidai[d͡ʑida̠i]
The English phrase 'era' can be translated into Japanese as 時代 (jidai) or 紀元.
Meaning: time period (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 時代 | jidai | [d͡ʑida̠i] (narrow) |
| 紀元 | kigen | [kʲiɡẽ̞ɴ] (narrow) |
時代 is used to refer to broad historical periods, cultural eras or the general 'current times'. It can also describe the current social or cultural climate, similar to the English expression 'in this day and age'.
Which one should you use?
時代 refers to general historical periods, cultural eras or ages. In contrast, 紀元 is used specifically in technical contexts such as calendar eras or astronomical epochs, for example, the 'Common Era'.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of 時代 is jidai.
Did you know?
- In Japan, the current era is not just a concept but a formal part of the legal calendar. Every new era name, or 元号 (gengō), is officially decreed by the Emperor and dictates the year numbering used in government documents.
- The word 時代 (jidai) contains the characters for 'time' and 'representation' or 'appearance'. This suggests a period is defined by the 'face' or the characteristic qualities that a specific time period shows.
- In Japanese history, the transitions between 時代 are often marked by the moving of the capital city, such as the shift from the 'Nara' to the 'Heian' period.
Examples in context
- 一つの時代が終わった。An era has come to an end.This sentence is useful for expressing that an era has finished using 時代.Tatoeba #12845851 by small_snow, translation #13459008 by Johannes_S
- これは新時代の幕開けです。This is the beginning of a new era.This sentence is useful for describing the start of a new era using 時代.Tatoeba #3007544 by arnab, translation #3007072 by CM
- その現象は今の時代に特有のものだ。The phenomenon is typical of our modern era.This sentence is useful for noting that a phenomenon is specific to the current era using 時代.Tatoeba #210918 by KK_kaku_, translation #48189 by sundown
- 昭和時代（しょうわじだい）Shōwa Era
- 平成元年（へいせいがんねん）Heisei Era Year 1
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two students are talking about a history textbook in a library.
- 陽太 Yotaこの時代について調べているの？Kono jidai ni tsuite shirabete iru no?Are you researching this era?
- 結衣 Yuiはい、陽太さん。とても面白いです。Hai, Youta-san. Totemo omoshiroi desu.Yes, Youta. It is very interesting.
- 陽太 Yota結衣さんは歴史が好きなんだね。Yui-san wa rekishi ga suki nan da ne.Yui, you really like history, don't you?
- 結衣 Yuiはい、昔の時代を知るのが楽しいです。Hai, mukashi no jidai o shiru no ga tanoshii desu.Yes, I enjoy learning about old eras.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “era” translations and entries 時代, 紀元, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
