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世代 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
世代shìdàigenerationHSK 7, t, 10 strokes, rank #20239, Very Hard
世代shìdàian eraHSK 7, t, 10 strokes, rank #20239, Very Hard
世代shìdàiaccumulation of yearsHSK 7, t, 10 strokes, rank #20239, Very Hard
世代shìdàipassing on from generation to generationHSK 7, t, 10 strokes, rank #20239, Very Hard
世代shìdàifor many generationsHSK 7, unknown, 10 strokes, rank #20239, Very Hard
世代shìdàieraHSK 7, unknown, 10 strokes, rank #20239, Very Hard
世代shìdàiageHSK 7, unknown, 10 strokes, rank #20239, Very Hard
shìdài(shi4dai4)shi dai T4
  1. 1generation
  2. 2an era
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March 24, 2026

世代shìdài(shi4dai4)

世代 (shìdài) refers to generations or eras, often emphasizing the continuity and transition of cultural, social, or familial traits over time. It is commonly used in contexts discussing family lineage, historical periods, or societal changes, highlighting the relationship between different generations.

Strokes10Frequency#20239DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of '世代' is significant, as respect for ancestors and the family lineage plays a crucial role in social customs and traditions, especially during festivals like Qingming when families honor their predecessors.

Memory Tip

Imagine a timeline stretching across centuries, with different generations standing on it, each passing a torch to the next. The character '世' resembles a 'world' where these generations live, and '代' suggests 'to replace,' reminding you that one generation replaces another over time.

Meanings of 世代

shìdài(shi4dai4)
1generation
2an era
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About 世代

世代Simplified
10Strokes
—Radical
时间词time word (t.)Part of Speech
#20239Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 世代

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AI Study Notes for 世代

Quick Contrast

世代 (shìdài) vs 时代 (shídài) — use 世代 when emphasizing familial or cultural lineage across generations, while 时代 focuses on historical periods or eras.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse '世代' with '世' (world) and '代' (generation) separately, missing the combined meaning. This term is more formal and is often found in literature or academic discussions, so avoid using it in casual conversation. Common collocations include '世代交替' (generational change) and '世代传承' (heritage passed down through generations).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 term, '世代' connects with other advanced vocabulary concerning history and lineage, such as '祖先' (ancestor) and '遗传' (inheritance). Focus on how it can be used to describe both familial and societal contexts in different sentences.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse '世代' by using it in place of '时代' (era), which refers to a specific period rather than the generational transitions. For example, saying '这个世代的音乐' (the music of this generation) is correct, but using it to describe a specific time like '这个世代的科技' (this generation's technology) may confuse the intended meaning.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 世代

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Component Characters

世shìlife
5 strokes一
View full entry
代dàito substitute
HSK 55 strokes亻
View full entry

How to say generation in Chinese

“generation” in Chinese is世代shìdài

世代 (shìdài) refers to generations or eras, often emphasizing the continuity and transition of cultural, social, or familial traits over time. It is commonly used in contexts discussing family lineage, historical periods, or societal changes, highlighting the relationship between different generations.

When to use 世代

Learners often confuse '世代' with '世' (world) and '代' (generation) separately, missing the combined meaning. This term is more formal and is often found in literature or academic discussions, so avoid using it in casual conversation. Common collocations include '世代交替' (generational change) and '世代传承' (heritage passed down through generations).

世代 or something close to it

世代 (shìdài) vs 时代 (shídài) — use 世代 when emphasizing familial or cultural lineage across generations, while 时代 focuses on historical periods or eras.

What learners get wrong

Learners often misuse '世代' by using it in place of '时代' (era), which refers to a specific period rather than the generational transitions. For example, saying '这个世代的音乐' (the music of this generation) is correct, but using it to describe a specific time like '这个世代的科技' (this generation's technology) may confuse the intended meaning.

Write 世代

世
代

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Frequently Asked Questions about 世代

While '代' refers to a generation in a more isolated sense, '世代' emphasizes the continuity and relationship between multiple generations.

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