Chinese word

现代

Pronunciation

Pinyinxiàn dài

Meaning

  • adjectivemodern

Example

现代建筑很有特色。xiàn dài jiàn zhù hěn yǒu tè sè

Modern architecture is distinctive.

Illustration for 现代 (modern)

More examples

这个办公室的装修很现代。zhè ge bàn gōng shì de zhuāng xiū hěn xiàn dài

The decor of this office is very modern.

Core concept

A present-day quality seen in the way things are designed, organized, or lived.

Common phrases

  • 现代社会xiàn dài shè huì

    modern society

  • 现代生活xiàn dài shēng huó

    modern life

  • 现代城市xiàn dài chéng shì

    modern city

Similar words

新xīn: Recently made or obtained, so it does not feel old.
最新zuì xīn: The newest or most up-to-date at the present time.

Definition in Chinese

作形容词时指具有现代特征、与传统或过去形成对比的状态，也可表示符合当代生活或审美的风格。zuò xíng róng cí shí zhǐ jù yǒu xiàn dài tè zhēng yǔ chuán tǒng huò guò qù xíng chéng duì bǐ de zhuàng tài yě kě biǎo shì fú hé dāng dài shēng huó huò shén měi de fēng gé

Word origin

现 (xiàn, "present") + 代 (dài, "era") form 现代 (xiàndài, "modern"), linking the present with the age it belongs to.

Usage tips

  • The word often describes visible features such as design, equipment, or living arrangements, which makes its meaning clearer than using it alone for an abstract idea.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word