年代

ねんだい

age, era, period

JLPT N3

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"年代" specifically refers to a span of roughly ten years within a century, such as the 'sixties' or 'nineties'. It is commonly used to talk about cultural, social, or historical characteristics associated with that period.

Common Collocations

  • 年代 (the seventies): often used when discussing music, fashion, or historical events.
  • 年代 (different generations): used to contrast people or things from various time periods.
  • 反映年代特点 (reflect the characteristics of an era): used in cultural or historical analysis.

Usage Notes

When using "年代", speakers often imply a shared cultural or social context typical of that decade. It is more specific than just "" (year) and less broad than "时代" (era). Avoid confusing "年代" with "时代"; the latter can refer to longer or more abstract periods, while "年代" is more concrete and decade-focused.

"年代" is a neutral term suitable for formal and informal contexts, frequently appearing in discussions about history, culture, and generational differences.

Example Sentences

He likes listening to rock music from the seventies.

This movie reflects the social atmosphere of that era.

People from different generations may have different views on life.