Inklingo

How to Say "era" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “era” is “época” — use 'época' for a specific period of history, often characterized by particular events, rulers, or cultural trends, especially when referring to a more general or less rigidly defined span of time..

épocaA2

Use 'época' for a specific period of history, often characterized by particular events, rulers, or cultural trends, especially when referring to a more general or less rigidly defined span of time.

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era🔊B1

Use 'era' specifically for long, distinct geological or historical periods, often with formal names like the Mesozoic Era or a significant new phase in history.

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edad🔊B1

Use 'edad' when referring to a specific historical period, especially when it is part of a named historical division like 'la Edad Media' (the Middle Ages) or 'la Edad de Piedra' (the Stone Age).

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tiempo🔊B1

Use 'tiempo' in a more general sense to refer to a historical period or 'times', often implying a less defined span or a specific context of living during that period.

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English → Spanish

época

nounA2general
Use 'época' for a specific period of history, often characterized by particular events, rulers, or cultural trends, especially when referring to a more general or less rigidly defined span of time.

Examples

La época de la Ilustración trajo grandes avances intelectuales.

The Enlightenment era brought great intellectual advances.

era

/EH-rah//ˈe.ɾa/

nounB1formal
Use 'era' specifically for long, distinct geological or historical periods, often with formal names like the Mesozoic Era or a significant new phase in history.
A vast prehistoric landscape showing dinosaurs roaming near a volcano.

Examples

La Era de Hielo fue un período de bajas temperaturas globales.

The Ice Age was a period of low global temperatures.

Los dinosaurios vivieron en la Era Mesozoica.

Dinosaurs lived in the Mesozoic Era.

Estamos viviendo en la era de la información.

We are living in the information age.

Fue el comienzo de una nueva era para la compañía.

It was the beginning of a new era for the company.

Always Feminine

When 'era' means a period of time, it's a feminine noun. Always use 'la' or 'una' with it, like 'la era' or 'una nueva era'.

edad

/e-dad//eˈðað/

nounB1general
Use 'edad' when referring to a specific historical period, especially when it is part of a named historical division like 'la Edad Media' (the Middle Ages) or 'la Edad de Piedra' (the Stone Age).
A visual contrast illustrating two distinct historical periods: a primitive cave and stone tools on one side, and a medieval castle on the other.

Examples

La Edad de Oro de la literatura española es muy admirada.

The Golden Age of Spanish literature is highly admired.

La Edad Media fue una época fascinante.

The Middle Ages was a fascinating era.

Vivimos en la edad de la información.

We live in the information age.

La Edad de Piedra es el período más antiguo de la prehistoria.

The Stone Age is the oldest period of prehistory.

tiempo

/tyem-po//ˈtjempo/

nounB1general
Use 'tiempo' in a more general sense to refer to a historical period or 'times', often implying a less defined span or a specific context of living during that period.
People dressed in clothing from a historical era, such as ancient Rome, standing near a column.

Examples

En tiempos de Cervantes, la sociedad era muy distinta.

In Cervantes' times, society was very different.

En tiempos de los romanos, la vida era muy diferente.

In Roman times, life was very different.

En mis tiempos de estudiante, leía mucho.

In my student days, I read a lot.

Es tiempo de cosecha.

It's harvest time.

Choosing Between 'Época' and 'Era'

Learners often confuse 'época' and 'era'. While both refer to historical periods, 'época' is generally more common for any distinct historical period, whereas 'era' is typically used for very long geological or major historical divisions, often with formal names.

Related Translations

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