時代錯誤

じ　だい　さく　ご
ji dai saku go


The first two kanji together are a very common marker for periods of time, used like we would use the word "era" (the 明治時代 or the　江戸時代) and the second pair means "a mistake."

Definition: 時代の傾向に遅れ合わないこと。
Translations:
1: An anachronism
2: Something outdated
3. Extremely old-fashioned

Today's 四時 does not translate DIRECTLY as an anachronism, because it only applies to something from the past that doesn't have a place in the present. An American man who expects to receive a dowry is both an anachronism and 時代錯誤。A caveman who has a digital watch is anachronistic, but could not be described with 時代錯誤。Also, the advice I've received is that it's best used to describe something intangible, like a way of thinking (考え方) or someone's taste or style (センス).

And then, an extremely old shrine or temple that stands in the center of an urban area would never be called 　時代錯誤. Just because it was built long ago doesn't mean that it's necessarily outdated, especially not when it still has cultural relevancy.

例文：この考え方を時代錯誤と言われてきてるが、女性は仕事しないで家にいるべきだろ,お嬢ちゃん。
People say it's an outdated way of thinking, but women should really stay at home and not work, ain't that right, sweetie?


(special thanks to Nirav for the example sentence edit and for being its inspiration.)