氷ひょう河が期き

noun

ice age; glacial period

Refers to a geological ice age or glacial epoch. Used in scientific and general contexts.

• 氷ひょう河が期きには、地ち球きゅうの広ひろい範はん囲いが氷こおりで覆おおわれていた。

  During the ice age, large areas of the Earth were covered with ice.

noun

tough period; drought (of opportunities)

Figurative extension: a period when opportunities, jobs, or activity are scarce, like a 'hiring ice age' or 'economic ice age'.

• 就しゅう職しょく氷ひょう河が期き世せ代だいは、厳きびしい雇こ用よう環かん境きょうを経けい験けんした。

  The employment ice age generation experienced a harsh job market.