近代 jìndài the not-very-distant past
the not-very-distant past; modern times, excluding recent decades; (in the context of Chinese history) the period from the Opium Wars until the May 4th Movement (mid-19th century to 1919); capitalist times (pre-1949)
How to remember 近代: 近 close + 代 era = the not-very-distant past.
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How it is used
- A history term for 'the recent modern era' - in Chinese periodization specifically the Opium Wars to 1919 (mid-1800s-May Fourth). 近代史 (jìndài shǐ) modern history.
- Distinct from 现代 (xiàndài, contemporary/present era) and 当代 (dāngdài, the current moment). The rough order is 古代 → 近代 → 现代 → 当代.