primitive
Meaning: Relating to or characteristic of an early stage of development; basic, simple, or unsophisticated.
Primitive describes things at an early or undeveloped stage. 'Primitive technology,' 'primitive conditions,' and 'primitive instincts' are standard collocations. In art history, 'primitive art' (or 'naïve art') describes work by untrained artists, though this term is now considered patronising by many. When applied to living conditions, the word implies a lack of modern amenities. Care should be taken with this word as it can sound dismissive or culturally insensitive when applied to people or societies.
Examples
- The camping facilities were fairly primitive, with no running water or electricity. 露营设施相当简陋,既没有自来水也没有电。Las instalaciones del cámping eran bastante primitivas, sin agua corriente ni electricidad.キャンプ場の設備はかなり原始的で、水道も電気も通っていなかった。캠핑 시설은 상당히 원시적이어서 수도도 전기도 없었다.
- Early computers were primitive by today's standards, occupying entire rooms for minimal processing power. 以今天的标准来看,早期计算机相当原始,整间房屋才能容纳却只有极少的处理能力。Los primeros ordenadores eran primitivos según los estándares actuales: ocupaban habitaciones enteras para una capacidad de procesamiento mínima.初期のコンピュータは今日の基準からすれば原始的で、わずかな処理能力のために部屋全体を占めていた。초기 컴퓨터는 오늘날의 기준으로 보면 원시적이었으며, 미미한 처리 능력을 위해 방 전체를 차지했다.
- The exhibition explored how primitive survival instincts continue to influence modern human behaviour. 该展览探讨了原始的生存本能如何继续影响现代人类行为。La exposición exploraba cómo los instintos primitivos de supervivencia siguen influyendo en el comportamiento humano moderno.その展示は、原始的な生存本能が現代の人間行動にいかに影響を与え続けているかを探究していた。그 전시는 원시적인 생존 본능이 현대 인간 행동에 어떻게 계속 영향을 미치는지를 탐구했다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, general, media
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Latin primitivus (first or earliest of its kind), from primitus (at first), from primus (first). The word originally meant simply 'first' without negative connotations; the sense of 'crude' or 'unsophisticated' developed later.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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