世代

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Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"世代" (shìdài) primarily refers to a generation of people or a period of time characterized by a particular group. It can mean "generation" in the sense of family lineage or social cohorts, as well as "era" or "age" in a broader historical or cultural context.

Common Contexts

It is often used to discuss differences or relationships between age groups, such as "年轻" (younger generation) and "" (older generation). It also appears in expressions about traditions passed down through multiple generations.

Collocations and Patterns

  • "年轻" (young generation): refers to the current younger cohort.
  • "" (older generation): refers to the previous or senior generation.
  • "世代" (this generation): emphasizes the current generation, often in social or cultural responsibility contexts.

Nuances

When using "世代," speakers often imply a contrast or connection between groups separated by time or age. It is more formal and specific than just "" or "时代," which can mean era or period without necessarily implying people.

Common Confusion

"世代" vs. "时代": "时代" usually refers to a historical period or era (like the "digital era"), while "世代" focuses more on the people belonging to a generation. Avoid mixing them when emphasizing people rather than time periods.

Example Sentences

This tradition has been passed down for several generations.

The ideas of the younger generation and the older generation differ greatly.

Environmental protection is an important responsibility of our generation.

Cultural differences between different generations are very obvious.

Technological development has changed the lifestyle of this generation.