氷河期世代
Meaning: The ice age generation — people who graduated and entered the job market during Japan's severe economic recession of the late 1990s to early 2000s.
Also known as ロストジェネレーション (lost generation), this refers to those born roughly between 1970 and 1984 who faced an incredibly harsh job market during the 'employment ice age.' Many couldn't secure regular full-time positions and were forced into irregular or contract work, affecting their entire careers, income, and life prospects. The term carries deep social significance in Japan, representing a generation that society failed — leading to ongoing government support programs.
Examples
- 氷河期世代への支援策、もっと早くやるべきだったよね。 对冰河期世代的支援政策,早就该实施了。Las políticas de apoyo a la generación de la era glacial deberían haberse puesto en marcha mucho antes.氷河期世代(빙하기 세대)에 대한 지원책, 더 일찍 했어야 했잖아.
- 氷河期世代の友達、今でも非正規で働いてる人が多いんだよ。 冰河期世代的朋友,到现在还在做非正式工的人很多。Muchos de mis amigos de la generación de la era glacial siguen trabajando como temporales.氷河期世代 친구들 중에 지금도 비정규직으로 일하는 사람이 많아.
- 自分が氷河期世代だから、就活の厳しさは身をもって知ってる。 因为自己就是冰河期世代,求职的艰难是亲身体会过的。Como soy de la generación de la era glacial, conozco de primera mano lo dura que es la búsqueda de empleo.내가 氷河期世代라서 취업의 혹독함은 몸소 알고 있어.
Pronunciation
/çjo.o.ɡa.ki se.da.i/
Usage Guide
Context: news, social discussions, workplace
Tone: sympathetic, serious
✓ Do Say
- 氷河期世代の経験を活かせる職場環境を作りたい。 (I want to create workplaces that can leverage the experience of the ice age generation.)我想营造一个能发挥冰河期世代经验的职场环境。(我想创造能让冰河期世代发挥其经验的工作环境。)Quiero crear entornos laborales que aprovechen la experiencia de la generación de la era glacial.氷河期世代의 경험을 살릴 수 있는 직장 환경을 만들고 싶어. (취업 빙하기 세대의 경험을 활용할 수 있는 직장 환경을 만들고 싶다.)
- 氷河期世代の問題は、個人の努力だけじゃ解決できないよ。 (The ice age generation's problems can't be solved by individual effort alone.)冰河期世代的问题,光靠个人努力是解决不了的。(冰河期世代的问题不是靠个人努力就能解决的。)Los problemas de la generación de la era glacial no se pueden resolver solo con esfuerzo individual.氷河期世代의 문제는 개인의 노력만으로는 해결할 수 없어. (빙하기 세대의 문제는 개인의 노력만으로는 해결되지 않아.)
✗ Don't Say
- 「氷河期世代は努力が足りない」は絶対に言わない — 社会構造の問題を個人のせいにしている (Never say 'the ice age generation didn't try hard enough' — it blames individuals for structural problems)绝对不要说'冰河期世代是不够努力'——这是把社会结构性问题归咎于个人(绝对不要说'冰河期世代不够努力'——这是把结构性问题甩锅给个人)Nunca digas «la generación de la era glacial no se esforzó lo suficiente» — es culpar a los individuos de problemas estructurales.'氷河期世代は努力が足りない(빙하기 세대는 노력이 부족하다)'는 절대 하면 안 되는 말 — 구조적 문제를 개인 탓으로 돌리는 것이다 ('빙하기 세대는 노력을 안 했다'는 절대 하지 마세요 — 사회 구조적 문제를 개인 책임으로 돌리는 것이다)
Common Mistakes
- Treating it as a minor inconvenience — the employment ice age permanently affected millions of careers and life outcomes
- Not understanding the ongoing economic and social implications for this generation
Origin & History
Named after the metaphorical 'ice age' (氷河期) in Japan's employment market, roughly 1993-2005, when hiring rates plummeted after the bubble economy burst. The term was coined by media to describe the generation that bore the brunt of economic stagnation.
Cultural Context
Era: Named for the 1993-2005 employment crisis, ongoing social issue
Generation: Born roughly 1970-1984
Social background: Cross-class, but disproportionately affected those without elite university connections
Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. A term with significant emotional and political weight, especially in discussions of social inequality.
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