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当代

dāng dài
个 gè
HSK 2.0 Level 5 HSK 3.0 Level 6 Noun Uncommon

Definitions

  1. 1. the present age
  2. 2. the contemporary era

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Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item
古代
gǔ dài

ancient times

古代 means ancient times, opposite to the contemporary era.

Related words

1 item
近代
jìn dài

the not-very-distant past

近代 refers to early modern period (mid-19th to mid-20th century), preceding 当代.

Synonyms

1 item
现代
xiàn dài

Hyundai, South Korean company

Both refer to the current or recent era, but 当代 often emphasizes the very recent present (roughly since 1949) while 现代 can span a broader modern period.

Usage notes

Common mistakes

Do not confuse 当代 (contemporary era) with 当时 (at that time); 当代 always refers to the present era.

Formality

当代 is typically used in formal or written contexts, such as in academic or historical descriptions, rather than in casual conversation to refer to 'nowadays'.

Example Sentences

2 shown
当代 的科技发展非常快。
Contemporary technology develops very quickly.
这部电影是 当代 社会的真实写照。
This film is a true portrayal of contemporary society.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 当代

当代史
dāng dài shǐ

contemporary history

当代新儒家
dāng dài xīn rú jiā

Contemporary New Confucianism

Child Words of 当代

代
dài

to substitute

当
dāng

(onom.) dong

当
dàng

at or in the very same...