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一代 (yī dài) — generation

Definition

一代 means one generation, often of people in a family or era (e.g. 'the younger 一代'). 后代 specifically means descendants or future generations; 世代 emphasizes lineage continuing over many generations.

noun
generation
Measure word · 代
Easily confused

Examples

  • 。
    Xīn yí dài de jì shù zhèng zài gǎi biàn shì jiè.
    The new generation of technology is changing the world.
  • 。
    Měi yí dài dōu yǒu bù tóng de jī huì.
    Each generation has different opportunities.
  • 。
    Zhè yí dài de hái zi hěn cōng ming.
    This generation of children is very smart.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

一yīone
代dàigeneration

一 and 代 mean one generation.

Characters in this word

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

一 is drawn as one horizontal stroke, marking the number one.

Open 一 →

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 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 5Life Stages & Age

Browse more HSK 5 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.