Translation guide
A period of decline, ignorance, or lack of progress, often used metaphorically. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 暗黒時代 (ankoku jidai), but other expressions exist depending on context.
To refer to a time of cultural, intellectual, or social stagnation, often likened to the European Dark Ages.
The standard translation for 'dark age', used both historically and metaphorically. It implies a period of ignorance, oppression, or lack of progress.
中世はしばしば暗黒時代と呼ばれる。
The Middle Ages are often called the Dark Ages.
その国は内戦で暗黒時代に突入した。
The country entered a dark age due to civil war.
A slightly shorter term, often used for a specific dark period in history or an organization's history.
この会社の暗黒期は2000年代初頭だった。
The company's dark age was in the early 2000s.
Literally 'era of stagnation', used when emphasizing lack of progress rather than darkness or evil.
経済の停滞の時代が続いた。
A dark age of economic stagnation continued.
To describe a period in someone's life marked by depression, confusion, or lack of direction.
Used for personal dark times, such as after a loss or during depression.
失業してから、彼は暗黒の時期を過ごした。
After losing his job, he went through a dark age.
Literally 'rock-bottom period', emphasizing the lowest point.
あの頃は人生のどん底の時期だった。
That was a dark age in my life.
To criticize a time when knowledge, reason, or enlightenment was suppressed.
Literally 'age of ignorance', often used in discussions about science or education.
その政策は国民を無知の時代に戻すものだ。
That policy will take the nation back to a dark age of ignorance.
Avoid translating 'dark age' word-for-word as 暗い時代 (kurai jidai). While understandable, it sounds unnatural and is not the established term.