Meanings of 一代
By ear
Play it, then pick what 一代 means.
About 一代
Podcast: 一代
Podcast: 一代
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 一代
一代 (yídài) vs 时代 (shídài) — use 一代 for specific groups of people within a generation, while 时代 refers to broader historical or cultural periods.
Be mindful of the context when using 一代, as it can be both formal and informal. Common collocations include '新一代' (xīn yī dài) for 'new generation' and '老一代' (lǎo yī dài) for 'old generation.' Avoid confusion with similar terms like '时代' (shídài), which means 'era' or 'epoch.'
Though 一代 is not specifically listed in HSK vocabulary, it connects well with other words related to family and history. Students at this level should focus on recognizing how generational terms are used in discussions of societal changes.
Learners often confuse 一代 with 代 (dài) alone, which means 'substitute' or 'generation' in a more abstract sense. For example, saying '代人' (dài rén) instead of '一代人' (yī dài rén) can be incorrect as it lacks the generational context.
Pronunciation of 一代
Drill the tone of 一代 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 一代 to You
Let me explain 一代 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 一代 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 一代?
Learning Lab
Knowing 一代 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Component Characters
How to say generation in Chinese
“generation” in Chinese is一代
一代 (yī dài) refers to a generation, typically indicating a specific group of people born and living around the same time. It is often used in contexts discussing cultural, social, and historical changes that occur within a particular timeframe, such as 'the younger generation' or 'the older generation.'
When to use 一代
Be mindful of the context when using 一代, as it can be both formal and informal. Common collocations include '新一代' (xīn yī dài) for 'new generation' and '老一代' (lǎo yī dài) for 'old generation.' Avoid confusion with similar terms like '时代' (shídài), which means 'era' or 'epoch.'
一代 or something close to it
一代 (yídài) vs 时代 (shídài) — use 一代 for specific groups of people within a generation, while 时代 refers to broader historical or cultural periods.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 一代 with 代 (dài) alone, which means 'substitute' or 'generation' in a more abstract sense. For example, saying '代人' (dài rén) instead of '一代人' (yī dài rén) can be incorrect as it lacks the generational context.
Write 一代
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 一代 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 一代?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
Frequently Asked Questions about 一代
You can say, '我们这一代人更加注重环保' (Wǒmen zhè yī dài rén gèng jiā zhùzhòng huánbǎo), meaning 'Our generation pays more attention to environmental protection.'
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 一代?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.