Translation guide
The English word "epoch" refers to a distinct period of time, often marked by notable events or characteristics. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 時代 (jidai), which covers both historical eras and personal periods. For technical contexts like geology or computing, specific terms such as 世 (sei) or エポック (epokku) are used. This guide helps learners choose the right expression based on context.
Referring to a significant period in history or a distinctive age, such as the Victorian epoch or an epoch of peace.
The most common and versatile word for 'epoch' or 'era'. It can refer to historical periods, cultural ages, or even personal life stages.
The Meiji era was an epoch of modernization for Japan.
It's the dawn of a new epoch.
Means 'period' or 'time' and can be used when 'epoch' refers to a specific phase or stage, often with a focus on timing rather than the character of the age.
That period was an epoch of great change.
Often used for decades or specific chronological periods, like 'the 1960s'. Can sometimes translate 'epoch' when referring to a defined span of years.
The 1960s were a turbulent epoch.
A unit of geological time, such as the Pleistocene Epoch.
The standard geological term for 'epoch', used in scientific contexts. For example, 更新世 (kōshinsei) is the Pleistocene Epoch.
The Holocene is the current geological epoch.
Loanword from English, used in some scientific or technical contexts, but less common than 世.
A fixed date and time used as a reference point for time measurement, such as Unix epoch.
The standard term in computing for 'epoch', as in 'Unix epoch'. Often used as-is in technical documentation.
The Unix epoch is January 1, 1970.
Means 'reference time' and can be used to explain the concept of an epoch in technical contexts, though エポック is more direct.
Describing a turning point or a new chapter, like 'an epoch in my life' or 'an epoch-making discovery'.
Literally 'new era', often used to describe a groundbreaking change or the start of a new epoch.
That invention ushered in a new epoch.
An adjective meaning 'epoch-making' or 'groundbreaking'. Commonly used to describe innovations or events that define a new era.
Means 'an era' or 'a period', often used in phrases like 一時代を築く (to build an epoch).
He is an artist who defined an epoch.
時代 (jidai) is the broadest term for an era or epoch, emphasizing the character or spirit of the age. 時期 (jiki) focuses on a specific point or phase in time, often with a sense of timing. 年代 (nendai) refers to a chronological period, especially decades. Use 時代 for historical epochs, 時期 for stages or phases, and 年代 for numbered decades or date ranges.
The Edo period was a peaceful epoch.
Now is the right time (not epoch).
Fashion of the 1970s (epoch).
エポック (epokku) is a loanword that is mainly used in technical fields like computing and sometimes geology. In everyday language, it can sound unnatural or overly technical. Stick to 時代 or other native terms for general use.
That's the start of a new epoch. (unnatural in most contexts)
この地層はエポックの境界を示している。
This stratum marks the boundary of an epoch.
The epoch for this system is January 1, 2000.
This is an epoch-making event.