noun HSK 4
decade · era · age · years · period
Meaning
年代 refers to a period of time, most commonly a decade (like the 1980s) or a general era in history. It combines 年 (year) and 代 (generation/period) to indicate a span of years that share common characteristics or are grouped together chronologically.
Usage
Commonly used when discussing historical periods or cultural eras. Chinese speakers often say 八十年代 (the eighties), 九十年代 (the nineties), etc. Can also mean 'age' in a more general sense when referring to historical epochs. Often appears in phrases like 那个年代 (that era) when reminiscing about the past.
Examples
- 01我父母是七十年代出生的。.My parents were born in the 1970s.
- 02那个年代的生活很艰苦。.Life in that era was very difficult.
Characters
Measure words
- 个一个年代
Common collocations
- 八十年代the 1980s
- 那个年代that era/those days
- 年代久远from a long time ago, ancient
- 新年代new era
Origin
Compound of 年 (year) and 代 (generation/period), literally meaning 'year-period' or 'year-generation,' naturally extending to mean a span of years or a decade.