时代

Pattern visualization

Examples

1. 我们生活在信息时代。▶ —
   We live in the information age.
2. 时代在进步,观念也要更新。▶ —
   As the times advance, ideas must be updated too.

Collocations

Mnemonic

时 shí "time" + 代 dài "age": a great period defined by some character, i.e. an age, an era. Same as the Korean word si-dae (時代). More than the specific decade of 年代, it points to a macro era marked by a defining character (信息时代 the information age, 时代精神 the spirit of the age). It is a unit of broad historical and social currents. 时 means "time"; 代 means "age, generation". 跟上时代 means to keep up with the times.

Related

Quick check

1. What is the nuance of 时代 versus 年代?

   • a macro era defined by character
   • a concrete decade
   • the time of day
   • a future appointment