Translation guide
A glacial period is a long interval of time within an ice age marked by colder temperatures and advancing glaciers. In everyday English, it often refers to any very cold, icy time, but in science it has a precise meaning. This guide covers both the scientific term and common expressions for cold, icy periods.
Referring to a glacial period in the context of geology, climatology, or Earth history.
The standard scientific term for a glacial period, a cold phase within an ice age when glaciers expand.
The last glacial period ended about 10,000 years ago.
Often used interchangeably with 氷期 in popular contexts, but technically can refer to an entire ice age (a longer era with multiple glacial and interglacial periods). In casual use, it's fine for 'glacial period'.
In strict scientific writing, 氷期 is preferred for a single cold phase, while 氷河期 can mean the whole ice age.
氷河期には、地球の広い範囲が氷で覆われていた。
During the glacial period, large areas of the Earth were covered in ice.
A more general term meaning 'cold period', sometimes used in paleoclimate contexts but less specific than 氷期.
この寒冷期には、平均気温が現在より5度低かった。
During this cold period, the average temperature was 5 degrees lower than today.
Describing a period of extreme cold, often metaphorically or in everyday conversation, not necessarily a geological epoch.
We're having a real glacial period this January. · The city experienced a glacial period with record low temperatures.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'a period of icy cold', natural when talking about weather or a cold snap.
先週は氷のような寒さの時期だった。
Last week was a glacial period—so icy cold.
Means 'period of extreme cold', suitable for describing harsh winter weather.
この極寒の時期には外に出たくない。
I don't want to go outside during this glacial period.
Literally 'severe winter period', used for the coldest part of winter, often in mountaineering or weather reports.
厳冬期の登山は危険だ。
Mountaineering during the glacial period of winter is dangerous.
Talking about the time when glaciers covered much of the Earth, often in history or anthropology contexts.
Common term for the Ice Age, the broader epoch containing glacial periods. Often used in school textbooks and museums.
氷河時代の人々はマンモスを狩っていた。
People during the glacial period hunted mammoths.
As above, often used loosely for the Ice Age in general conversation.
In Earth science, 氷期 (glacial period) is a cold phase within an 氷河時代 (ice age). 氷河期 is ambiguous and often used for both. For precision, use 氷期 for a single glacial advance and 氷河時代 for the whole ice age. In everyday speech, 氷河期 is most common for any icy epoch.
現在は間氷期で、氷期ではありません。
We are currently in an interglacial period, not a glacial period.
The literal translation 氷河の期間 is not idiomatic. Use the established terms 氷期 or 氷河期 for the scientific concept, or descriptive phrases like 極寒の時期 for figurative cold snaps.
With the end of the glacial period, human civilization developed.