当代

• Pinyin: dāng dài
• Hanzi breakdown: 当 (present) + 代 = 亻(person) + 弋 (phonetic)

Meaning

Contemporary; present-day; the current era. The time period we are living in now.

In Chinese historiography, 当代 typically refers to the period from 1949 (founding of PRC) to present. In general usage, it means the current era or generation. Common in academic, artistic, and cultural discussions.

Examples

1. 这位作家是当代中国文学的重要代表人物。 This writer is an important representative figure of contemporary Chinese literature.
2. 当代年轻人面临着很多前所未有的挑战。 Contemporary young people face many unprecedented challenges.
3. 博物馆举办了一场当代艺术展览，吸引了很多观众。 The museum held a contemporary art exhibition that attracted many visitors.

Usage Guide

Context: academic, arts, media

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 当代社会变化很快。(Contemporary society is changing rapidly.)
• 这是当代艺术的杰作。(This is a masterpiece of contemporary art.)

Don't Say

• '当代'和'现代'有区别——'现代'指更长的历史时期(约1840起)，'当代'特指现在这个时代 (当代 and 现代 differ — 现代 refers to a longer historical period from ~1840, while 当代 specifically means the present era)

Origin & History

Compound of 当 (present, this) + 代 (era, generation), meaning the current era.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal