现代 (xiàndài) — modern; contemporary
HSK 4 | noun / adjective | the modern era or something that is contemporary
现代 (xiàndài)
现代 refers to the modern era as a noun, or describes something as modern and contemporary as an adjective.
Meanings
- [noun] the modern era; modern times; the contemporary period
- [adjective] modern; contemporary; up-to-date
Example Sentences
现代科技极大地改变了我们的生活。 Xiàndài kējì jídà de gǎibiàn le wǒmen de shēnghuó. Modern technology has greatly changed our lives.
她喜欢现代风格的家具。 Tā xǐhuān xiàndài fēnggé de jiājù. She likes modern-style furniture.
现代社会中，竞争越来越激烈。 Xiàndài shèhuì zhōng, jìngzhēng yuè lái yuè jīliè. In modern society, competition is becoming more and more intense.
他是一位著名的现代诗人。 Tā shì yī wèi zhùmíng de xiàndài shīrén. He is a famous modern poet.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 现代社会 | modern society |
| 现代科技 | modern technology |
| 现代化 | modernization |
| 现代风格 | modern style |
Usage Notes
现代 as a historical term refers to the period from roughly the 20th century onward. The derived word 现代化 (xiàndàihuà) means modernization and is extremely common in discussions of China's development. It contrasts with 古代 (ancient times) and 近代 (recent/early modern times).
Memory Hook
现 means "present/now" and 代 means "era/generation": 现代 is the present era, the generation of now.