circa

/ˈsɜːkə/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsɜːrkə/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsər-kə/ (ame, mw)

circa — preposition

1. used before a date, number, or time period to show that the exact figure is not

1.介系詞B2
釋義

used before a date, number, or time period to show that the exact figure is not certain but is close to the one given

例句

The temple was built circa 1200 BCE, during the Bronze Age.

preposition used before a year to indicate approximation

Historians believe the manuscript was written circa 1450, shortly after Gutenberg's press.

同義詞
  • about

    the most common everyday alternative; less formal than 'circa'

  • around

    similar to 'about', widely used in both speech and writing

  • approximately

    slightly more formal than 'about'; common in technical and academic writing

反義詞
  • exactly

    the opposite of approximation; indicates the date is precise

  • precisely

    similar to 'exactly'; used when there is no uncertainty

用法筆記

Common in historical, scholarly, and formal writing before a year or century. In everyday conversation, 'about' or 'around' is the more natural choice.

常見錯誤

❌The meeting starts circa 3 PM.
✅The meeting starts around 3 PM.
💡'circa' is almost never used with clock times; use 'about' or 'around' instead.