后代

• Pinyin: hòu dài
• Hanzi breakdown: 后 — rear; later; 代 = 亻(person radical) + 弋 (phonetic) — a generation or era of people

Meaning

Descendants; offspring; posterity. The generations that come after, whether of a family line or of a historical era.

Used both in family contexts (one's children and grandchildren) and in broader historical or cultural contexts (the generations that inherit a civilisation's legacy). More formal and broader than 子女 (children). Common in literary, historical, and official discourse about legacy and heritage.

Examples

1. 她一生致力于环境保护事业，是希望能够为后代留下一片山清水秀的家园。 She devoted her life to environmental protection, hoping to leave a land of clear waters and green mountains for future generations.
2. 这些珍贵的历史文物是先人留给我们的宝贵遗产，我们有责任将其妥善保护并传承给后代。 These precious historical artifacts are a valuable legacy left to us by our predecessors, and we have a responsibility to protect them properly and pass them on to future generations.
3. 科学家们的研究成果或许在当时并不被理解，但终究会被后代所认识和珍视。 Scientists’ research findings may not be understood at the time, but in the end they will be recognized and valued by later generations.

Usage Guide

Context: history, family, heritage, literature, official discourse

Tone: solemn

Do Say

• 我们今天所做出的每一项环境决策，都将深刻影响后代子孙的生存条件和生活质量。(Every environmental decision we make today will profoundly affect the living conditions and quality of life of our descendants.)
• 这座古城的建筑风貌历经数百年依然保存完好，是先辈们留给后代最为珍贵的历史馈赠之一。(The architectural character of this ancient city has been preserved intact over several centuries — it is one of the most precious historical gifts bequeathed by our forebears to future generations.)

Don't Say

• 后代 to mean 'the next generation' in a casual, informal sense — use 下一代 in everyday conversation; 后代 has a more formal and often historical resonance

Origin & History

后 (after; later) + 代 (generation; era) — the generations that come after

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional to Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal