Translation guide
Refers to the distant past, often before the Middle Ages. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 古代 (kodai), but the specific term depends on the historical period and context.
Referring to the distant past in a general sense, often before the fall of the Western Roman Empire (in Western context) or before the Nara period (in Japanese context).
The most common and general term for 'ancient times'. It can refer to antiquity in any culture, but in Japanese history, it typically covers the period from the beginning of recorded history to around the 12th century (end of the Heian period).
古代エジプトの文明はとても進んでいた。
The civilization of ancient Egypt was very advanced.
古代の人々は星を見て季節を知った。
People in ancient times knew the seasons by looking at the stars.
A more colloquial and vague term meaning 'a very long time ago' or 'ancient times'. It is less formal than 古代 and often used in storytelling or casual conversation.
大昔、この辺りは海だったらしい。
In ancient times, this area was apparently a sea.
Refers to 'remote antiquity' or 'primeval times', often with a nuance of mythological or geological timescales. More literary and less common in everyday speech.
太古の地球には巨大な生物がいた。
In ancient times, there were giant creatures on Earth.
Specifically referring to the civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome.
The standard way to refer to the period of classical antiquity. Often shortened to 古代ギリシャ or 古代ローマ when referring to one civilization.
古代ギリシャ・ローマ時代の哲学は西洋思想の基礎だ。
The philosophy of ancient Greek and Roman times is the foundation of Western thought.
A more academic term for 'classical antiquity', used in historical or archaeological contexts.
古典古代の遺跡がイタリア各地に残っている。
Ruins from classical antiquity remain throughout Italy.
Referring to the early periods of Japanese history before the medieval era.
In Japanese history, 古代 generally covers the Jomon, Yayoi, Kofun, Asuka, Nara, and Heian periods (up to the 12th century). It is the standard term.
古代日本では、貴族が和歌を詠んでいた。
In ancient Japan, aristocrats composed waka poems.
Specifically refers to the early part of ancient Japan, roughly up to the Nara period. Often used in literary or historical studies.
Referring to a time so ancient that it is more myth than history.
Literally 'age of the gods', referring to the mythological period in Japanese creation stories before the first emperor. Highly specific to Japanese mythology.
神代の物語は古事記に記されている。
Tales from the age of the gods are recorded in the Kojiki.
Means 'mythological era' and can be used for any culture's legendary ancient times.
神話時代の英雄たちの冒険が語り継がれている。
The adventures of heroes from ancient mythological times have been passed down.
古代 (kodai) is the standard, neutral term for 'ancient times' and is used in academic and everyday contexts. 大昔 (ōmukashi) is more casual and vague, often used in stories or when the exact period is not important. 太古 (taiko) implies extremely remote antiquity, almost geological or mythological, and is more literary.
When describing something as 'ancient' in English, Japanese often uses 古い (furui, 'old') or 昔の (mukashi no, 'of the past') instead of 古代. For example, 'ancient ruins' can be 古代遺跡 (kodai iseki) but also simply 古い遺跡 (furui iseki). Use 古代 when you want to emphasize the historical period.
古代の人々は地球は平らだと信じていた。
In ancient times, people believed the earth was flat.
この寺は古代にまでさかのぼる。
This temple dates back to ancient times.
上代の日本語は現代とは大きく異なる。
The Japanese language of ancient times is very different from modern Japanese.