プリミティブ

also: プリミチブ · プリミティヴ

Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

1

primitive; crude; archaic

Describes something simple, basic, or old-fashioned, often with a nuance of being underdeveloped or unsophisticated. Can refer to technology, design, or concepts.

このソフトのインターフェースはプリミティブだ。
This software's interface is primitive.
彼かれの考かんがえ方かたはまだプリミティブな段だん階かいにある。
His way of thinking is still at a primitive stage.

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Related words

原げん始し的てき
原始的 is a more common and native Japanese way to say 'primitive', often used in academic or descriptive contexts. プリミティブ carries a slightly more modern or technical feel, often used in IT or design.
シンプル
シンプル means 'simple' in a positive or neutral sense, while プリミティブ often implies a lack of sophistication or an early stage of development.

Word family

プリミティブアート
primitive art
サービスプリミティブ
service primitive

Written forms

プリミティブUsage68%
Standard katakana loanword spelling.
プリミティヴUsage32%
Variant using ヴ to represent the 'v' sound; less common in practice.
プリミチブ
Older or less common variant; may reflect an earlier transliteration.

Etymology

Loanword from English 'primitive'.