近现代

近現代

jìnxiàndài

noun

Meanings

1 modern times
2 the modern era
3 the period from the First Opium War (1840) to the founding of the PRC (1949), plus post-1949

Characters

era, generation

Examples

HSK 3

这本书介绍中国近现代历史。

Zhè běn shū jièshào Zhōngguó jìnxiàndài lìshǐ.

This book introduces modern Chinese history.

HSK 5

他研究近现代文学。

Tā yánjiū jìnxiàndài wénxué.

He researches modern literature.

HSK 5

近现代科学发展迅速。

Jìnxiàndài kēxué fāzhǎn xùnsù.

Modern science has developed rapidly.

Tips

usage

In Chinese historiography, 近代 ('early modern', 1840-1919) and 现代 ('modern', 1919-1949) are traditionally distinct periods. 近现代 combines them as a shorthand for 'from the Opium Wars through the PRC era'. Western 'modern history' usually maps to a longer span.

Stroke Order

近 jìn

现 xiàn

代 dài