Meaning and Usage
"世紀" (せいき) means "century" and is used to refer to a period of 100 years. It is commonly used in historical, cultural, and scientific contexts to specify time frames.
Common Collocations
- "20世紀" (にじゅっせいき): the 20th century, often used when discussing modern history or technological advances.
- "18世紀に建てられた": built in the 18th century, used to describe the age of buildings or artifacts.
- "21世紀に入って": entering the 21st century, used to mark the beginning of a new century and related changes.
Usage Notes
When using "世紀," it is common to attach a number before it to specify which century is being discussed. The number is usually in Arabic numerals or kanji. This word is neutral in formality and can be used in both spoken and written Japanese.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "世紀" with "時代" (じだい), which means "era" or "period." While "世紀" strictly refers to a 100-year span, "時代" can be more flexible and refer to cultural or historical periods that don't align exactly with centuries.