epoch
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epoch / era
A longer period of time in history, art, or culture characterized by particular features.
Die Renaissance war eine Epoche großer künstlerischer und wissenschaftlicher Entdeckungen.
The Renaissance was an era of great artistic and scientific discoveries.
The word 'Epoche' (epoch/era) belongs to elevated written language and is often used in historical, scientific, or cultural texts. It is rather rare in everyday conversation.
Die Erfindung des Buchdrucks markierte den Beginn einer neuen Epoche.
The invention of the printing press marked the beginning of a new era.
'Epoche' (epoch/era) is very often used with a genitive or the preposition 'von' (of) to describe what kind of period it is. The structure is then 'die Epoche des/der ...' (the era of ...).
Das war die Epoche des Kalten Krieges.
That was the era of the Cold War.
Common expressions in a historical or cultural context are 'eine Epoche prägen' (to shape an era) or 'eine neue Epoche einläuten/beginnen' (to usher in/begin a new era).
Die Entdeckungen von Albert Einstein prägten eine ganze Epoche der Physik.
Albert Einstein's discoveries shaped an entire era of physics.
You can tell from the context whether the geological or historical meaning is meant. Terms like 'Erdgeschichte' (Earth's history), 'Holozän' (Holocene), or 'Pleistozän' (Pleistocene) clearly point to geology.
Das Pleistozän ist eine Epoche der Erdgeschichte, die für ihre Eiszeiten bekannt ist.
The Pleistocene is an epoch of Earth's history known for its ice ages.
time
'die Zeit' and 'die Epoche' can both mean a period in the past or in history. However, 'Zeit' is much more general and can be short or long. 'Epoche' means a longer period with special characteristics, for example in history, art, or culture. Learners may confuse the words when talking about historical times. For ordinary periods, people usually say 'Zeit'. 'Epoche' is used when a period is especially important and has its own name or clear characteristics.
Die Renaissance war eine wichtige Epoche in der europäischen Kunst.
The Renaissance was an important era in European art.
In dieser Zeit lebten viele Menschen auf dem Land.
During this time, many people lived in the countryside.