現代

• Reading: げんだい
• Romaji: gendai
• Kanji breakdown: 現 (gen/arawa) — present, appear; 代 (dai/yo) — generation, era
• Pronunciation: /geɴ.da.i/

Meaning

Present age; present day; today. The modern era we live in now.

A noun (also used as a noun modifier with の) referring to the contemporary period. Frequently appears in compound expressions: 現代社会 (gendai shakai, modern society), 現代人 (gendaijin, modern people), 現代的 (gendai-teki, contemporary/modern). Contrasts with 古代 (kodai, ancient) and 近代 (kindai, modern/recent). In Japanese history, 現代 typically refers to the post-WWII period.

Examples

1. 現代の生活はとても便利になった。 Modern life has become very convenient.
2. 現代社会ではスマホが欠かせない。 Smartphones are indispensable in today's society.
3. この美術館には現代アートが展示されている。 This museum features contemporary art.

Usage Guide

Context: society, history, culture

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 現 (gen, present/appear) and 代 (dai, era/generation). Together they indicate the era that is presently unfolding.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal