Definition
历代 (lì dài) means 'successive dynasties' or 'past dynasties' — it refers to a sequence of historical periods, especially imperial Chinese dynasties, viewed from past to present. Unlike 一代 (yī dài, a single generation) or 后代 (hòu dài, future generations/descendants), 历代 looks backward across many eras. Compare with 世代 (shì dài), which emphasizes family lineage continuity rather than a dynastic timeline.
noun
successive dynastiespast dynastiessuccessive generations
Examples
- 历代，？lì dài huángdì zhōng, shuí zuì wěidà?Among the emperors of successive dynasties, who is the greatest?
- 历代。Zhè běn shū jièshào le lì dài de wénhuà chéngjiù.This book introduces the cultural achievements of successive dynasties.
- 历代。lì dài jiànzhù fēnggé gè bù xiāngtóng.The architectural styles of successive dynasties are all different.
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