Japanese word

紀元前

Pronunciation

Romajikigenzen

Meaning

  • nounBC

Example

この寺は紀元前300年に建てられました。ko no tera wa ki gen zen 300 nen ni ta te ra re ma shi ta

This temple was built in 300 BC.

Illustration for 紀元前 (BC)

More examples

私たちは紀元前の遺跡について調べます。watashi ta chi wa ki gen zen no i seki ni tsu i te shira be ma su

We research ruins from before Christ.

Core concept

Marks a date as preceding the first year of the era used as the reference point for counting years.

Common phrases

  • 紀元前300年ki gen zen 300 nen

    300 BC

  • 紀元前の遺跡ki gen zen no i seki

    ruins from before Christ

Definition in Japanese

現在の年数の起点となる年より前の時代や年を示す語。gen zai no nen sū no ki ten to na ru toshi yo ri mae no ji dai ya toshi o shime su go

Word origin

紀 (ki, "chronicle") combines with 元 (gen, "origin") in 紀元 (kigen, "era origin"), and 前 (zen, "before") adds the meaning of an earlier time.

Usage tips

  • Many English sources use BCE instead of BC for the same years, with BCE meaning Before Common Era.

Opposites

  • 紀元後kigengoADnoun

Word lists with this word