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年代 (nián dài) — Chinese word meaning

HSK 5

年代 (nián dài) is a Chinese word: era; decade; age. This page shows its pinyin, translation, example sentences, character breakdown, decomposition, and HSK level.

Meaning of 年代

名 míng noun

era; decade; age

这是一个充满变革的年代。

zhè shì yí gè chōng mǎn biàn gé de nián dài

This is an era full of change.

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Word breakdown

年 nián — year; provides the temporal/time dimension

Words with this character (45)
Show more (+40)

代 dài — generation; era; period; denotes a distinct period or generation

Words with this character (23)
Show more (+18)
  • 6 现代 xiàn dài — modern HSK 5
    • 现 present, current
    • 代 era, age, period
    Example

    现代科技发展很快。

    xiàn dài kē jì fā zhǎn hěn kuài

    Modern technology develops very quickly.

  • 7 现代化 xiàn dài huà — to modernize HSK 5
    • 现 present, current
    • 代 era, period, generation
    • 化 to transform into, -ize suffix
    Example

    我们需要现代化农业生产方式。

    wǒ men xū yào xiàn dài huà nóng yè shēng chǎn fāng shì

    We need to modernize agricultural production methods.

  • 8 近代 jìn dài — modern times HSK 5
    • 近 near, recent (temporal proximity)
    • 代 era, period, times
    Example

    近代中国经历了很多变化。

    jìn dài zhōng guó jīng lì le hěn duō biàn huà

    Modern China experienced many changes.

  • 9 代价 dài jià — price, cost HSK 6
    • 代 substitute, in exchange for
    • 价 price, value
    Example

    他为了事业付出了健康的代价。

    tā wèi le shì yè fù chū le jiàn kāng de dài jià

    He paid the price of his health for his career.

  • 10 代理 dài lǐ — to act as agent; to represent HSK 6
    • 代 on behalf of; substitute
    • 理 to manage; to handle
    Example

    律师代理客户出庭。

    lǜ shī dài lǐ kè hù chū tíng

    The lawyer represents the client in court.

  • 11 取代 qǔ dài — replace HSK 6
    • 取 to take over, to obtain (a position)
    • 代 to replace, to substitute
    Example

    人工智能无法完全取代人类。

    rén gōng zhì néng wú fǎ wán quán qǔ dài rén lèi

    Artificial intelligence cannot completely replace humans.

  • 12 后代 hòu dài — descendants HSK 6
    • 后 later, future, coming after
    • 代 generation
    Example

    我们要为后代保护环境。

    wǒ men yào wèi hòu dài bǎo hù huán jìng

    We must protect the environment for our descendants.

  • 13 当代 dāng dài — contemporary HSK 6
    • 当 present, current
    • 代 era, age, generation
    Example

    他是当代最伟大的作家之一。

    tā shì dāng dài zuì wěi dà de zuò jiā zhī yī

    He is one of the greatest writers of contemporary times.

  • 14 朝代 cháo dài — dynasty HSK 6
    • 朝 imperial court, reign
    • 代 generation, period, era
    Example

    唐朝是中国历史上最繁荣的朝代之一。

    Táng Cháo shì Zhōng guó lì shǐ shàng zuì fán róng de cháo dài zhī yī

    The Tang Dynasty was one of the most prosperous dynasties in Chinese history.

  • 15 世代 shì dài — generation HSK 7
    • 世 generation, age, era
    • 代 generation, successive period
    Example

    他们家世代都是医生。

    tā men jiā shì dài dōu shì yī shēng

    Their family has been doctors for generations.

  • 16 交代 jiāo dài — to hand over; to explain; to account for HSK 7
    • 交 to hand over, to deliver, to transfer
    • 代 on behalf of, in succession, to take responsibility
    Example

    领导交代了几件重要的事情。

    lǐng dǎo jiāo dài le jǐ jiàn zhòng yào de shì qing

    The leader briefed several important matters.

  • 17 代号 dài hào — code name HSK 7
    • 代 substitute, represent
    • 号 number, designation
    Example

    这个秘密行动的代号是'黎明'。

    zhè ge mì mì xíng dòng de dài hào shì lí míng

    The code name for this secret operation is 'Dawn'.

  • 18 代理人 dài lǐ rén — agent HSK 7
    • 代 to act on behalf of, to substitute
    • 理 to manage, to handle
    • 人 person
    Example

    我需要找一个代理人来处理这件事。

    wǒ xū yào zhǎo yí gè dài lǐ rén lái chǔ lǐ zhè jiàn shì

    I need to find an agent to handle this matter.

  • 19 代言 dài yán — to endorse HSK 7
    • 代 on behalf of, to represent
    • 言 to speak, words
    Example

    这位明星代言了很多品牌。

    zhè wèi míng xīng dài yán le hěn duō pǐn pái

    This celebrity endorses many brands.

  • 20 划时代 huà shí dài — epoch-making HSK 7
    • 划 to divide, to mark
    • 时 time
    • 代 era, generation
    Example

    这是一项划时代的发明。

    zhè shì yī xiàng huà shí dài de fā míng

    This is an epoch-making invention.

  • 21 历代 lì dài — successive dynasties HSK 7
    • 历 successive, through (time)
    • 代 dynasties, generations, eras
    Example

    历代皇帝都住在这个宫殿里。

    lì dài huáng dì dōu zhù zài zhè ge gōng diàn lǐ

    Emperors of successive dynasties all lived in this palace.

  • 22 取而代之 qǔ ér dài zhī — replace, take its place HSK 7
    • 取 to take, to seize
    • 而 and then, and (connects sequential actions)
    • 代 to replace, to substitute
    • 之 it, that (classical pronoun for what is replaced)
    Example

    手工劳动逐渐被机器取而代之。

    shǒu gōng láo dòng zhú jiàn bèi jī qì qǔ ér dài zhī

    Manual labor is gradually being replaced by machines.

  • 23 新陈代谢 xīn chén dài xiè — metabolism HSK 7
    • 新 new (new substances or cells being formed)
    • 陈 old, stale (old substances or cells being removed)
    • 代 replace, substitute (the process of replacement)
    • 谢 discharge, eliminate (the elimination of old matter)
    Example

    运动可以促进新陈代谢。

    yùn dòng kě yǐ cù jìn xīn chén dài xiè

    Exercise can promote metabolism.

Structure & writing
1 年 nián — year (unit of time; common year = 365 days, leap year = 366 days, every 4 years)

年 is not used as a component in any other character.

年 is an atomic character — it does not decompose further.

Stroke order

2 代 dài — to substitute; to replace
代 is a component in 2 characters
HSK 4
袋 dài bag, sack, or pocket made of cloth, leather, etc.
HSK 6
贷 dài loan; credit

consists of

2.1 亻 rén — person/human radical (standing figure)
亻 is a component in 117 characters
HSK 1
什 shén see "什么": ① interrogative pronoun; ② indefinite reference; ③ universal reference (used before 也/都); ④ surprise or dissatisfaction; ⑤ reproach; ⑥ disagreement; ⑦ non-exhaustive enumeration 他 tā third-person pronoun, generally male, sometimes gender-neutral (he/him; they) 们 men suffix added to pronouns or nouns referring to people to indicate plural 件 jiàn measure word for individual items 休 xiū to stop; to cease (something)
Show more HSK 1 characters (+6)
住 zhù to reside; to stay (permanently or temporarily) 作 zuò to work; to make; to produce 你 nǐ you (second person singular pronoun) 便 biàn convenient; to make convenient, smooth, without difficulty or obstruction 候 hòu to wait; to await 做 zuò to make; to manufacture (a physical object)
HSK 2
但 dàn only, merely 位 wèi position; location 体 tǐ the whole body of a person or animal; by extension, a part of the body 游 yóu unfixed; constantly moving
HSK 3
信 xìn letter; written message 借 jiè to borrow (something to be returned later) 假 jiǎ false; fake; not genuine, opposite of "真" 健 jiàn to strengthen; to make robust 像 xiàng portrait, image, or sculpture made in the likeness of a person or object
Show more HSK 3 characters (+2)
化 huà to change in nature or form; to transform 复 fù to repeat; to do more than once
HSK 4
仅 jǐn only; merely 仍 réng still; as before; unchanged 仔 zǎi (dial.) young man 付 fù to submit; to hand over 价 jià price; the monetary value of goods
Show more HSK 4 characters (+20)
任 rèn to appoint; to assign to a post 份 fèn a portion or share of a whole divided into parts 优 yōu excellent; superior (opposite of 劣) 伙 huǒ meals; food provisions 估 gū to estimate, to reckon approximately 低 dī low (opposite of 'high'); close to the ground 何 hé interrogative pronoun: ① what ② where ③ why 使 shǐ to dispatch; to order about 例 lì example; instance used as a reference or model 供 gōng to supply; to provide money or goods for those in need 保 bǎo to guard and protect from harm or loss 俩 liǎ two (cannot be followed by 个 or other measure words) 倍 bèi a multiple; a number equal to another multiplied by a given factor 倒 dǎo to fall down; to topple over 值 zhí price; value; numerical value 停 tíng to stop, to cease moving 偶 ǒu idol; figure made of wood or clay 傅 fù (lit.) to assist; to instruct 傲 ào arrogant; proud 夜 yè night (from dusk to dawn), opposite of '日'/'昼'
HSK 5
亿 yì one hundred million 代 dài to substitute; to replace 仿 fǎng to imitate; to follow as a model 伍 wǔ a military unit of five soldiers in ancient times; now refers to the army in general 伟 wěi great; sublime; inspiring reverence
Show more HSK 5 characters (+16)
传 chuán to pass from one party to another; to hand down from generation to generation 伴 bàn companion; partner 伸 shēn to stretch out; to extend 似 sì to resemble; to be like 佛 fó Buddha (abbrev. of Sanskrit transliteration '佛陀'); esp. Shakyamuni, founder of Buddhism 佳 jiā beautiful, good 依 yī to lean on; to rely on, to depend on 促 cù short (of time) 俗 sú custom; social habit or convention formed over time 倡 chàng to initiate; to advocate 傍 bàng to be close to; to be beside 催 cuī to urge; to press someone to act quickly 傻 shǎ foolish, stupid 宿 sù to lodge; to spend the night; to sleep overnight 拖 tuō to drag (an object along a surface) 施 shī to implement; to exert
HSK 6
仗 zhàng general term for ancient weapons 仪 yí appearance and bearing; demeanor 仰 yǎng face upward (opposite of 俯, to face downward) 佩 pèi to wear (on one's person); to carry at one's side 侄 zhí nephew (son of a brother or male peer; also used for a friend's son)
Show more HSK 6 characters (+6)
侧 cè side; lateral (opposite of 'front/upright') 俱 jù all, entirely 倾 qīng to tilt; to lean 偷 tōu to steal; to take something without the owner's knowledge 偿 cháng to repay; to compensate 储 chǔ to save, to store up
HSK 7
仁 rén benevolence; the Confucian moral concept centered on compassion, love, and altruism 仆 pú servant hired to do household chores 仇 chóu enemy; foe 仙 xiān immortal; a person with supernatural abilities in mythology 仲 zhòng second among siblings (after 伯, before 叔)
Show more HSK 7 characters (+33)
伏 fú to lean forward onto something; to lie face down, prostrate 伐 fá to chop (a tree); to fell 伦 lún generation; kind; category 伪 wěi false; fake; deceitful (opposite of 真) 伯 bó uncle (father's elder brother) 伺 sì to watch; to lie in wait 佑 yòu to assist and protect 佣 yōng to hire or be hired 侃 kǎn (lit.) upright and forthright 侈 chǐ wasteful; extravagant 侍 shì to serve, attend upon, wait on someone 侠 xiá a chivalrous person or act of helping the oppressed through personal strength 侣 lǚ companion; partner 侥 jiǎo 见"侥幸": to gain benefit or avoid misfortune by chance 侦 zhēn to spy; to secretly investigate or scout 侨 qiáo to reside abroad 侮 wǔ to bully, to treat with contempt 侵 qīn to invade, to encroach on others' rights 俊 jùn handsome; good-looking (opposite of ugly) 俏 qiào handsome; good-looking; nimble and graceful 俘 fú prisoner of war; captive 俭 jiǎn frugal, thrifty (opposite of 奢) 俯 fǔ to bow one's head, face downward (opposite of 仰) 倔 juè straightforward in character, blunt in speech 倘 tǎng if; supposing that 倚 yǐ to lean against 倦 juàn tired, weary 债 zhài debt (money owed to others) 偏 piān not straight; off-center; tilted (opposite of 正) 僚 liáo government official 僧 sēng Buddhist monk 僵 jiāng stiff, rigid (of limbs) 僻 pì remote, far from the center
2.2 弋 yì — an arrow with a string attached, used for shooting birds
弋 is a component in 4 characters
HSK 4
式 shì shape or form of an object
HSK 5
代 dài to substitute; to replace 武 wǔ military; martial (opposite of civil/literary "文")
HSK 7
腻 nì to feel put off by greasy food

Stroke order