时代感 (shí dài gǎn) — the feeling or character of a particular era; a modern or contemporary quality

Definition

Refers to the vibe, style, or atmosphere characteristic of a particular era — often used for art, design, or fashion that feels rooted in or evocative of its time. The example contrasts it with 传统元素 (traditional elements).

noun
the feeling or character of a particular eraa modern or contemporary quality

Examples

  • ，。
    Zhè ge shè jì hěn yǒu shí dài gǎn, nián qīng rén hěn xǐ huan.
    This design has a strong contemporary feel; young people really like it.
  • 时代感。
    Lǎo zhào piàn chōng mǎn le nà ge nián dài de shí dài gǎn.
    The old photos are full of the sense of that era.
  • 。
    Zhè zuò jiàn zhù jì yǒu chuán tǒng yuán sù yòu yǒu shí dài gǎn.
    This building has both traditional elements and a contemporary feel.

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.

时代era
时shítime代dàiera
联合Side by side
感gǎnsense

时代 gives the idea of an era, and 感 adds a feeling or sense, yielding the sense of the times.

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 時; 时 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
日日rìsun; day
Sound part声符shēngfú
之
之zhī時shí
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 時 pairs 日 (sun/day) with 之 as the part that gives the sound; the simplified 时 is not the form described.

Open 时 →

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 →

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
心心xīnheart
Sound part声符shēngfú
咸
咸xián感gǎn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

感 pairs 咸, which gives the sound, with 心, the heart, for feeling.

Open 感 →

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