紀元
Meanings
1
Refers to a historical era or the starting point of a calendar system, such as 紀元前 (BC) or 紀元後 (AD). Often used in historical contexts.
These ruins date from the 3rd century BC.
The Christian era is the basis of the Western calendar.
2
Common Era; AD
Specifically denotes the Common Era (CE) or Anno Domini (AD). Used in expressions like 紀元前 (BC) and 紀元後 (AD).
There is a 400-year difference between 200 BC and AD 200.
Usage patterns
- 紀元前〈数〉年the year [number] BC
Around 3000 BC, civilization began in Egypt.
- 紀元を画すto mark a new epoch, to be epoch-making
This discovery came to mark a new epoch in the history of science.
- 新しい紀元を開くto usher in a new era
The spread of the internet ushered in a new era.