Translation guide
The concept of something belonging to the wrong time period, often used in historical or fictional contexts.
To refer to something that is historically out of place, such as a modern object in a period film or an outdated practice in modern times.
The most direct and common translation for 'anachronism'. It can refer to objects, ideas, or behaviors that are out of their proper historical time.
There were several anachronisms in that movie.
His way of thinking is an anachronism.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'something that does not fit the era'. Useful when you want to emphasize the mismatch rather than using a single noun.
This building is an anachronism in the modern cityscape.
The loanword from English. It is understood, especially in academic or artistic contexts, but sounds technical and is less common in everyday speech.
The historian pointed out the anachronism in the document.
Specifically for mistakes in movies, books, or art where something appears in the wrong historical period.
To describe a person, custom, or institution that is old-fashioned and out of place in the modern world.
時代錯誤 (じだいさくご) emphasizes a mismatch with a specific historical period, often used for factual errors or deliberate stylistic choices. 時代遅れ (じだいおくれ) simply means 'outdated' or 'old-fashioned' and is more about being behind current trends. For anachronisms in fiction, 時代考証のミス is the most precise term.
Do not try to translate 'anachronism' word-for-word as '時間の間違い' or similar. It will not be understood. Use the terms above depending on context.
In that scene, there was an anachronism where a character used a telephone that hadn't been invented yet.
その会社の経営方針は時代遅れだ。
That company's management policy is an anachronism.
Her outfit is a complete anachronism.