现代主义 (xiàn dài zhǔ yì) — modernism

Definition

An umbrella term for 20th-century artistic and literary movements that broke with tradition (cubism, stream-of-consciousness, abstract art, etc.). As a noun, it names the movement itself — use 现代化 ('modernization') for the process of becoming modern.

noun
modernism

Examples

  • 现代主义。
    xiàn dài zhǔ yì Duì èr shí shì jì de yì shù yǐng xiǎng hěn dà.
    Modernism had a great influence on twentieth-century art.
  • 现代主义。
    Xǔ duō zhù míng jiàn zhù shī dōu cǎi yòng xiàn dài zhǔ yì de fēng gé.
    Many famous architects adopt the modernist style.
  • 现代主义。
    Zuò jiā zài zhè bù xiǎo shuō lǐ yùn yòng le xiàn dài zhǔ yì shǒu fǎ.
    The writer uses modernist techniques in this novel.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

现代modern
现xiànpresent代dàiera
偏正Modifier + head
主义-ism
主zhǔ义yì

The 现代 idea of the present era combines with 主义 to name a doctrine.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 現; 现 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
玉玉yùjade
Sound part声符shēngfú
見
見jiàn現
Same sound today

The traditional form 現 pairs 玉 (jade) with 見 as a sound part; the simplified 现 is a shorthand, and its parts are not the historical parts.

Open 现 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
亻Written in full as人rénperson
Sound part声符shēngfú
弋
弋yì代dài
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

In 代, 亻 shows a person, and 弋 gives the sound.

Open 代 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The old forms that became 主 showed a lamp or torch with a flame at the top; other forms showed wood on fire or a spirit tablet.

Open 主 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 義; 义 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
羊羊yáng
Sound part声符shēngfú
我
我wǒ義yì
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 義 has 我 giving the sound and 羊 meaning good or auspicious; the simplified 义 is a later abbreviation.

Open 义 →

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.