当代

dāng dài

CL 个 gè

HSK 2.0 Level 5 HSK 3.0 Level 6 Noun Uncommon

Definitions

1. the present age
2. the contemporary era

Word relationships

Antonyms

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• 古代 gǔ dài 古代 gǔ dài ancient times 古代 means ancient times, opposite to the contemporary era.: ancient times

Related words

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• 近代 jìn dài 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.: the not-very-distant past

Synonyms

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• 现代 xiàn dài 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.: Hyundai, South Korean company

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 当代史 dāng dài shǐ: contemporary history
• 当代新儒家 当代新儒家 dāng dài xīn rú jiā: Contemporary New Confucianism

Child Words of 当代

• 代 代 dài: to substitute
• 当 当 dāng: (onom.) dong
• 当 当 dàng: at or in the very same...