Date back to Meaning in English
expression
ˈdeɪt/ /ˈbæk/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ
DAYT-BAK-too, DAYT-BAK-tuh, DAYT-BAK-tih
dˈeɪt/ /bˈæk/ /tˈuː
DAYT-BAK-TOO
Definition
Used to show when something began or was created, often referring to when an object, building, or tradition started in the past.
Usage & Nuances
Common in both formal and casual English, especially in history, archaeology, or art. Used for things, not people. Frequently appears as 'X dates back to [year/period]'. Sometimes confused with 'go back to'—'date back to' is more formal and specific.
Spanish: remontarse a - datar dePortuguese (BR): data de - remonta aPortuguese (PT): data de - remonta aChinese (Simplified): 追溯到 - 起源于Chinese (Traditional): 追溯到 - 起源於Hindi: से शुरू होना - से संबंधित होनाArabic: يعود إلى - يرجع إلىBengali: স্থাপিত হয় - শুরু হয় (কিছু একটি নির্দিষ্ট সময়ে)Russian: происходить из - восходить к (времени)Japanese: 〜にさかのぼるVietnamese: có từ - bắt nguồn từKorean: ~에 기원하다 - ~까지 거슬러 올라가다Turkish: tarihlenmek - geçmişe dayanmakUrdu: سے تعلق رکھنا - کا آغاز ہوناIndonesian: berasal dari - berasal sejak
Example Sentences
The pyramids date back to ancient Egypt.
basic
These coins date back to the 12th century.
basic
The tradition dates back to the Middle Ages.
basic
Our house dates back to the early 1900s; it has a lot of history.
natural
Some of the art in this museum dates back to the Renaissance.
natural
Records show the market dates back to at least the 1700s.
natural