一代

• Pinyin: yī dài
• Hanzi breakdown: 一 = one; 代 = 亻 (person) + 弋 (arrow), meaning generation or era

Meaning

A generation; one generation. A group of people born around the same time or a period in succession.

Used for people (一代人 a generation of people), leaders (一代宗师 a master of one's generation), and products (第一代产品 first-generation product). Common phrases: 新一代 (new generation), 老一代 (older generation), 一代又一代 (generation after generation).

Examples

1. 每一代人都有自己的挑战和机遇。 Every generation has its own challenges and opportunities.
2. 他是中国武术界的一代宗师。 He is a grandmaster of Chinese martial arts of his generation.
3. 这款手机是第一代产品。 This phone is a first-generation product.

Usage Guide

Context: history, society, technology

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 年轻一代观念不同。(The younger generation has different views.)
• 这是新一代的技术。(This is new-generation technology.)

Don't Say

• 一代的人们 — 直接说'一代人'更自然

Origin & History

Compound of 一 (one) + 代 (generation, era). Together meaning one generation or era.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal