die Steinzeit
Stone Age
A period of prehistory in which tools and weapons were mainly made of stone.
EXAMPLE
In der Steinzeit lernten die Menschen, Feuer zu machen.
In the Stone Age, people learned to make fire.
die Steinzeit
Stone Age
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Meanings
die Steinzeit
Stone Age
Figuratively, a technologically or socially very backward, outdated state.
EXAMPLE
Unsere Internetverbindung hier auf dem Land ist die reinste Steinzeit.
Our internet connection here in the countryside is pure Stone Age.
Usage tips
Compound word
The word is made up of 'der Stein' (stone) and 'die Zeit' (time/age). It literally describes the 'time of stone,' that is, the period in which stone was the most important material for tools.
EXAMPLE
Im Museum gibt es viele Werkzeuge aus der Steinzeit.
There are many tools from the Stone Age in the museum.
Context clue
You can recognize the literal meaning from a historical context, e.g. archaeology or museums. The figurative meaning always refers to modern topics such as technology or organization and expresses that they are outdated.
EXAMPLE
Dass wir hier kein WLAN haben, ist doch die reinste Steinzeit!
The fact that we don't have Wi-Fi here is pure Stone Age!
Colloquial style
The figurative meaning, which describes something as outdated, is mainly used in colloquial speech. It often has a humorous or critical undertone.
EXAMPLE
Ohne Smartphone fühle ich mich manchmal wie in der Steinzeit.
Without a smartphone, I sometimes feel like I'm in the Stone Age.
Typical expressions
In the figurative meaning, 'Steinzeit' (Stone Age) is often used in fixed expressions. Typical phrases include 'leben wie in der Steinzeit' (to live as if in the Stone Age) or describing something as 'die reinste Steinzeit' (pure Stone Age).
EXAMPLE
In diesem Büro arbeiten wir noch mit Methoden aus der Steinzeit.
In this office, we still work with methods from the Stone Age.
Compare with
Steinzeit vs Mittelalter
Middle Ages
Figuratively, both Mittelalter and Steinzeit can be used to criticize a backward state. Mittelalter focuses more on outdated social rules or institutions, while Steinzeit focuses more on very primitive technology or general conditions. The exact choice depends on what kind of backwardness is meant.
Steinzeit
Mit diesen völlig veralteten Geräten fühlen wir uns wie in der Steinzeit.
With these completely outdated devices, we feel as if we were living in the Stone Age.
Mittelalter
Bei diesen überholten Regeln für Frauen fühlen wir uns wie im Mittelalter.
With these outdated rules for women, we feel as if we were living in the Middle Ages.
In real life
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