Meaning
现代化 refers to the process of becoming modern or making something modern, typically involving technological advancement, industrialization, and social development. It encompasses the transformation of traditional societies, systems, or infrastructure into contemporary forms that align with current standards and practices.
Usage
Commonly used in formal contexts discussing national development, economic policy, infrastructure, and social transformation. Often appears in government discourse and news media. Can be used as a noun (the process of modernization) or as a verb (to modernize something). Frequently paired with specific domains like 农业现代化 (agricultural modernization) or 国防现代化 (defense modernization).
Examples
- 01中国正在加快推进农业现代化进程。.China is accelerating the process of agricultural modernization.
- 02这座城市的现代化水平很高。.This city has a high level of modernization.
Characters
Common collocations
- 实现现代化to achieve modernization
- 农业现代化agricultural modernization
- 现代化建设modernization construction
- 四个现代化Four Modernizations (historical policy)
Antonyms
Origin
The suffix 化 (huà) creates abstract nouns denoting transformation or process. 现代 means 'modern times' or 'contemporary era,' so 现代化 literally means 'the transformation into modern times.' This pattern mirrors other process nouns like 工业化 (industrialization) and 城市化 (urbanization).