近代

jìndài

HSK 5

近代 — jìndài

1. the not-very-distant past; modern times (not including very recent decades)

   这本书主要讨论近代的社会变迁。 zhè běnshū zhǔyào tǎolùn jìndài de shèhuìbiànqiān — This book mainly discusses social changes in modern times.

2. the specific historical period in China from the Opium Wars to the May Fourth Movement (mid-19th century to 1919)

   近代中国经历了列强入侵和社会剧变。 jìndài zhōngguó jīnglì le lièqiáng rùqīn hé shèhuì jùbiàn — Modern China experienced invasions by foreign powers and dramatic social changes.

3. capitalist era (in Chinese contexts, often referring to pre-1949 capitalist society)

   他们在论文中批判了近代的资本主义制度。 tāmen zài lùnwén zhōng pīpàn le jìndài de zīběnzhǔyì zhìdù — In their paper they criticized the capitalist system of the modern era.