prähistorisch
prehistoric
Relating to the period before written history; prehistoric.
EXAMPLE
Im Museum sind prähistorische Werkzeuge aus der Steinzeit ausgestellt.
The museum displays prehistoric tools from the Stone Age.
prähistorisch
prehistoric
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Meanings
prähistorisch
prehistoric
Seeming very old-fashioned, backward, or completely outdated technologically, often with a critical or mocking undertone.
EXAMPLE
Sein prähistorischer Computer kann moderne Programme kaum noch ausführen.
His prehistoric computer can barely run modern programs anymore.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry prähistorisch, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | prähistorisch |
|---|
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to prähistorisch.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to prähistorisch.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to prähistorisch.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Prähistorisch' (prehistoric) is made up of 'prä-' in the sense of 'before' and 'historisch' (historical). The combination originally refers to the period before written history was documented.
EXAMPLE
Die prähistorischen Höhlenmalereien geben Einblick in das Leben früher Menschen.
The prehistoric cave paintings provide insight into the lives of early humans.
Typical collocations
In its technical sense, 'prähistorisch' (prehistoric) often appears with words from archaeology and prehistory, such as 'Funde' (finds), 'Werkzeuge' (tools), 'Siedlungen' (settlements), or 'Kulturen' (cultures).
EXAMPLE
Archäologen entdeckten prähistorische Siedlungen unter einer dicken Erdschicht.
Archaeologists discovered prehistoric settlements beneath a thick layer of earth.
Context clue
The figurative meaning can usually be recognized when 'prähistorisch' (prehistoric) describes modern technology, ways of working, or habits. In such sentences, the word often sounds mocking or critical.
EXAMPLE
Die prähistorische Software stürzt bei jeder kleinen Änderung ab.
The prehistoric software crashes with every minor change.
In real life
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