A1 noun #2,000 am häufigsten 10 Min. Lesezeit

世纪

shiji
At the A1 level, you only need to know that **世纪 (shìjì)** means 'century.' You will mostly see it with numbers to talk about the current time. For example, '21 世纪' (21st century). It is a simple noun. You don't need to worry about complex grammar. Just remember: Number + 世纪. It's like saying 'Year' (年) but for a much longer time. You might hear it in basic introductions to history or when people talk about the year 2000. It is a 'big' word for a 'big' amount of time.
At the A2 level, you should start using **世纪 (shìjì)** to describe when things happened. You can use '上个世纪' (shàng gè shìjì) to mean 'last century' (the 1900s) and '这个世纪' (zhège shìjì) for 'this century.' You might also see it in simple reading passages about famous people from the past, like 'He was a famous doctor in the 18th century.' Remember that we don't usually use the word '第' (dì) before the number when talking about centuries in Chinese.
At the B1 level, you can use **世纪 (shìjì)** in more detailed discussions about history and social change. You should learn phrases like '世纪初' (shìjì chū - beginning of the century) and '世纪末' (shìjì mò - end of the century). You will encounter this word in news reports and school textbooks. You should also be able to distinguish it from '年代' (niándài - decade). For example, knowing that '80年代' is the 1980s, but '8世纪' is the 700s. This is a key distinction for intermediate learners.
At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using **世纪 (shìjì)** in formal writing and debates. You will use it to discuss '世纪之交' (shìjì zhī jiāo - the turn of the century) and '跨世纪' (kuà shìjì - spanning centuries). You'll understand its use in idiomatic expressions like '世纪婚礼' (wedding of the century) to show that something is very grand. You should also be able to use it as a time adverbial without needing extra prepositions, placing it smoothly at the beginning of sentences to set the historical context.
At the C1 level, **世纪 (shìjì)** becomes a tool for nuanced historical and philosophical analysis. You will encounter it in academic papers discussing '世纪沧桑' (the great changes of a century) or '世纪难题' (the problem of the century). You should understand its metaphorical weight—how calling something a 'century-level' event elevates its importance. You will also see it used in complex sentence structures where it modifies abstract nouns, such as '世纪性的转折' (a century-defining turning point).
At the C2 level, you master the full rhetorical power of **世纪 (shìjì)**. You can use it to discuss the 'Chinese Century' (中国世纪) in geopolitical contexts or analyze the 'Fin de siècle' (世纪末情结) in literature. You understand the subtle difference between using '世纪' and '百年' in high-level prose to achieve specific rhythmic or emotional effects. You can use the word to frame grand narratives of human progress, decline, and transformation with the precision and elegance of a native scholar.

世纪 in 30 Sekunden

  • 世纪 (shìjì) means 'century' (100 years). It is a formal noun used for historical dating and describing grand events.
  • The basic structure is [Number] + 世纪. For example, '21世纪' is the 21st century. No ordinal markers like 'st' or 'th' are needed.
  • Common phrases include '上个世纪' (last century), '本世纪' (this century), and '世纪末' (end of the century).
  • It differs from '年代' (decade) and '时代' (era). Use it specifically for 100-year blocks or to emphasize historical significance.

The term 世纪 (shìjì) is the standard Chinese word for 'century,' representing a span of one hundred years. Etymologically, it is a compound of two powerful characters: 世 (shì), which originally referred to a generation of thirty years or the world/lifetime, and 纪 (jì), which means to record, a discipline, or a period of time. Together, they form a concept that transcends a single human life, capturing the grand scale of historical progression. In modern Mandarin, it is used precisely as 'century' is used in English, both for specific chronological markers (like the 21st century) and for describing vast periods of time metaphorically.

Literal Breakdown
世 (World/Generation) + 纪 (Record/Period) = A record of generations.
Temporal Scale
100 years (一百年).
Grammatical Category
Noun (Time Noun).

“我们正生活在二十一世纪。” (Wǒmen zhèng shēnghuó zài èrshíyī shìjì.)

— We are currently living in the 21st century.

Understanding 世纪 requires recognizing its role in the Chinese temporal hierarchy. While 年份 (niánfèn) marks the year and 年代 (niándài) marks the decade, 世纪 provides the broadest common lens for historical analysis. In Chinese historiography, the transition between centuries often marks significant shifts in dynastic power or social paradigms. For instance, the transition into the 20th century is often discussed as a pivotal moment of modernization and struggle.

“这个建筑是上个世纪留下的。” (Zhège jiànzhù shì shàng gè shìjì liú xià de.)

— This building is a legacy from the last century.

Beyond its chronological definition, 世纪 carries a weight of 'greatness' or 'significance.' When something is described as 'of the century' (世纪之...), it implies it is the most important event of its kind in a hundred years. This is common in news headlines, such as 'The Wedding of the Century' (世纪婚礼) or 'The Project of the Century' (世纪工程). This superlative use highlights the word's association with grand scales and long-lasting impact.

“这是一场世纪之战。” (Zhè shì yī chǎng shìjì zhī zhàn.)

— This is a battle of the century.
Common Collocations
跨世纪 (kuà shìjì) - Spanning across centuries.
世纪末 (shìjì mò) - End of the century.
新世纪 (xīn shìjì) - New century.

In summary, 世纪 is more than just a unit of time; it is a conceptual framework through which Chinese speakers organize history, envision the future, and emphasize the magnitude of events. Whether you are discussing the Tang Dynasty's influence or the technological leaps of the 2000s, 世纪 is the essential anchor for your timeline.

Using 世纪 (shìjì) correctly involves understanding its placement in a sentence and its relationship with numbers. In Chinese, the structure for identifying a specific century is remarkably straightforward: [Number] + 世纪. For example, 'the 19th century' is simply 十九世纪 (shíjiǔ shìjì). There is no need for ordinal markers like 'first' or 'second' in the way English requires.

“十九世纪发生了许多工业革命。” (Shíjiǔ shìjì fāshēngle xǔduō gōngyè gémìng.)

— Many industrial revolutions happened in the 19th century.

When you want to refer to 'the last century' or 'this century,' you use the directional markers 上 (shàng - up/previous) and 本 (běn - this/current). Note that when using '上,' you must include the measure word 个 (gè). So, 'last century' is 上个世纪 (shàng gè shìjì). However, for 'this century,' it is more common to say 本世纪 (běn shìjì), though 这个世纪 (zhège shìjì) is also acceptable in casual speech.

Temporal References
上个世纪 (shàng gè shìjì) - Last century.
本世纪 (běn shìjì) - This century.
下个世纪 (xià gè shìjì) - Next century.

To describe specific parts of a century, Chinese uses 初 (chū - beginning), 中叶 (zhōngyè - middle), and 末 (mò - end). For example, 'the beginning of the 20th century' is 二十世纪初 (èrshí shìjì chū). 'The middle of the 18th century' is 十八世纪中叶 (shíbā shìjì zhōngyè). This precise terminology is vital for academic and historical writing.

“二十世纪末,互联网开始普及。” (Èrshí shìjì mò, hùliánwǎng kāishǐ pǔjí.)

— At the end of the 20th century, the internet began to become popular.

Another advanced usage is the phrase 跨世纪 (kuà shìjì), which means 'straddling two centuries' or 'spanning into the next century.' This was a very popular buzzword in China around the year 2000, used to describe 'cross-century talents' (跨世纪人才) or 'cross-century projects' (跨世纪工程) that would lead the country into the new millennium.

“我们要培养跨世纪的人才。” (Wǒmen yào péiyǎng kuà shìjì de réncái.)

— We need to cultivate talents that span across centuries.

Finally, in the context of sports or competitions, you might hear 世纪大决战 (shìjì dà juézhàn), meaning 'the ultimate showdown of the century.' This usage emphasizes that the event is rare and of historical proportions. When using 世纪 in this hyperbolic way, it usually precedes the noun it modifies, often linked by 之 (zhī) or simply used as an adjective.

The word 世纪 (shìjì) is ubiquitous in Chinese media, education, and formal discourse. Because it defines such a large block of time, it is the default setting for discussing history, progress, and future predictions. You will encounter it most frequently in the following environments:

1. News and Documentaries
Journalists use 世纪 to contextualize current events within a broader historical frame. You'll hear phrases like 'the most significant discovery of the 21st century' (21世纪最重大的发现).
2. History Classrooms
From primary school to university, history is taught in centuries. Teachers will frequently say 'In the 15th century...' (在15世纪...).
3. Sci-Fi and Futurism
Movies and books set in the future often reference the '22nd century' (22世纪) or '25th century' to establish their setting.

“欢迎收看《世纪大讲堂》。” (Huānyíng shōukàn “Shìjì Dà Jiǎngtáng”.)

— Welcome to 'The Century Auditorium' (a famous TV program).

In business and economics, 世纪 is used to describe long-term trends. The phrase 'The Chinese Century' (中国世纪) is a common topic of discussion in international relations, referring to the 21st century as a period of Chinese global influence. Similarly, 'The Pacific Century' (太平洋世纪) was a common term in the late 20th century. When CEOs give keynote speeches, they often talk about 'facing the challenges of the new century' (面对新世纪的挑战).

“这是本世纪最伟大的发明之一。” (Zhè shì běn shìjì zuì wěidà de fāmíng zhī yī.)

— This is one of the greatest inventions of this century.

In literature and art, 世纪 often appears in titles to evoke a sense of grandeur or a specific era's 'vibe.' For example, the famous novel 'One Hundred Years of Solitude' is translated as 《百年孤独》, but discussions about its 'century-long' themes might use 世纪. In pop culture, 'Century Park' (世纪公园) in Shanghai is a major landmark, showing how the word is integrated into the physical landscape of modern China.

“我们在上海世纪大道见面吧。” (Wǒmen zài Shànghǎi Shìjì Dàdào jiànmiàn ba.)

— Let's meet at Century Avenue in Shanghai.

Finally, you will hear it in formal ceremonies. Weddings are often called 'Century Weddings' (世纪婚礼) if they are particularly lavish. This usage is common in celebrity gossip and social media. When you hear 世纪 used this way, it's less about the 100-year count and more about the 'once-in-a-lifetime' nature of the event.

While 世纪 (shìjì) is a relatively simple concept, learners often make specific errors regarding its measure words, its distinction from similar time units, and its numerical formatting. The most frequent mistake is the misuse of measure words.

Error 1: Adding '个' to specific centuries
Incorrect: 二十个世纪 (èrshí gè shìjì) to mean 'the 20th century'.
Correct: 二十世纪 (èrshí shìjì).
Note: Only use '个' when you are counting a duration (e.g., 'three centuries' = 三个世纪).

“罗马帝国存在了几个世纪?” (Luómǎ dìguó cúnzàile jǐ gè shìjì?)

— How many centuries did the Roman Empire exist for? (Duration use)

Another common confusion is between 世纪 (shìjì) and 年代 (niándài). Learners often say '20世纪' when they actually mean 'the 20s' (the 1920s). In Chinese, 'the 80s' is 八十年代 (bāshí niándài). If you say '八世纪', you are talking about the year 700-799 AD, which is a massive difference!

The third mistake involves ordinal numbers. In English, we say 'the first century.' In Chinese, you might be tempted to say '第一世纪' (dì-yī shìjì). While not strictly 'wrong' in a mathematical sense, the standard way to say it is simply 一世纪 (yī shìjì). The '第' is usually omitted for centuries unless you are specifically emphasizing a sequence in a list.

“这是公元一世纪的文物。” (Zhè shì gōngyuán yī shìjì de wénwù.)

— This is an artifact from the 1st century AD.

Finally, watch out for the distinction between 世纪 (shìjì) and 时代 (shídài). 世纪 is a fixed unit of 100 years. 时代 is an 'era' or 'age' which can be any length (e.g., the 'Information Age' 信息时代). Don't use 世纪 to describe a vague period like 'when I was young' or 'the era of smartphones' unless you are specifically referring to the 100-year block.

Common Confusion
世纪 (Century) vs. 时代 (Era/Age).
世纪 (Century) vs. 年代 (Decade).
世纪 (Century) vs. 百年 (A hundred years - usually used for duration or anniversaries).

To master the use of 世纪 (shìjì), it is helpful to compare it with other Chinese words that describe periods of time. While they all relate to 'time,' their scales and connotations differ significantly.

1. 年代 (niándài) - Decade / Era
Used to refer to a specific 10-year period (e.g., 90年代 for the 1990s) or a general historical era. It is much smaller than a 世纪.
2. 时代 (shídài) - Age / Era
Refers to a period characterized by certain features or conditions (e.g., 黄金时代 - Golden Age). It is not defined by a fixed number of years like 世纪.
3. 时期 (shíqī) - Period
A general term for a span of time, often used for stages of development (e.g., 战争时期 - War period). It is more flexible and less formal than 世纪.

“每个时代都有它的英雄。” (Měi gè shídài dōu yǒu tā de yīngxióng.)

— Every era has its heroes. (Contrast with 世纪)

Another word often confused with 世纪 is 百年 (bǎinián). While both refer to 100 years, 百年 is usually used to describe a duration or a 100th anniversary. For example, 'a century-old shop' is 百年老店 (bǎinián lǎodiàn), not '世纪老店'. 世纪 is used for chronological labels, whereas 百年 is used for the quantity of time.

“这家公司已经有百年历史了。” (Zhè jiā gōngsī yǐjīng yǒu bǎinián lìshǐle.)

— This company already has a hundred-year history.

In more poetic or ancient contexts, you might encounter 纪元 (jìyuán), which means 'era' or 'epoch,' often referring to the start of a new calendar system (like the Common Era). 光阴 (guāngyīn) is a literary term for 'time' or 'time's passage,' emphasizing its fleeting nature. Neither of these can replace the precise chronological function of 世纪.

Summary Table
世纪: 100 years (Fixed).
年代: 10 years (Fixed) or Era (General).
时代: Characterized period (Variable).
百年: 100 years (Quantity/Duration).

When choosing between these words, ask yourself: Am I naming a specific 100-year block on a calendar? If yes, use 世纪. Am I describing the 'feeling' of a time period? Use 时代. Am I talking about a decade? Use 年代.

How Formal Is It?

Formell

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Informell

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Schwierigkeitsgrad

Wichtige Grammatik

Beispiele nach Niveau

1

现在是二十一世纪。

Now it is the 21st century.

Simple [Number] + 世纪 structure.

2

二十世纪有很多变化。

The 20th century had many changes.

世纪 used as a time subject.

3

我不喜欢十九世纪的衣服。

I don't like 19th-century clothes.

世纪 modifying a noun with '的'.

4

这是一个新世纪。

This is a new century.

Using '新' (new) as an adjective.

5

他出生在上个世纪。

He was born in the last century.

Use of '上个' to mean 'previous'.

6

下个世纪会更好吗?

Will the next century be better?

Use of '下个' to mean 'next'.

7

这一世纪开始了。

This century has begun.

Demonstrative '这' + '世纪'.

8

世纪是一个很长的时间。

A century is a very long time.

Defining the noun.

1

上个世纪九十年代,我还在上学。

In the 90s of the last century, I was still in school.

Combining '上个世纪' with '年代'.

2

本世纪的人们都用手机。

People of this century all use mobile phones.

Use of '本' to mean 'this/current'.

3

那是十八世纪的建筑。

That is an 18th-century building.

Describing the origin of an object.

4

二十一世纪的生活很快。

Life in the 21st century is very fast.

Possessive '的' connecting century to life.

5

他在二十世纪初来到中国。

He came to China at the beginning of the 20th century.

Using '初' (beginning) after the century.

6

这个世纪已经过去了二十年。

Twenty years of this century have already passed.

世纪 as the subject of a duration sentence.

7

下个世纪的人会住在哪儿?

Where will people of the next century live?

Questioning the future.

8

我读了一本关于十五世纪的书。

I read a book about the 15th century.

Prepositional phrase '关于...'.

1

二十世纪末,电脑开始进入家庭。

At the end of the 20th century, computers began entering homes.

Using '末' (end) to specify a time.

2

这被认为是世纪之交最重要的发明。

This is considered the most important invention at the turn of the century.

'世纪之交' (turn of the century) as a fixed phrase.

3

跨世纪的工程通常需要很多钱。

Cross-century projects usually require a lot of money.

'跨世纪' (cross-century) as an adjective.

4

在十九世纪中叶,这里发生了一场战争。

In the middle of the 19th century, a war broke out here.

Using '中叶' (middle) for specific historical periods.

5

我们要为下个世纪的发展做准备。

We need to prepare for the development of the next century.

Formal purpose construction '为...做准备'.

6

这个世纪的科技进步超出了想象。

The technological progress of this century has exceeded imagination.

Abstract subject '科技进步'.

7

他被称为二十世纪最伟大的艺术家。

He is called the greatest artist of the 20th century.

Passive '被' construction with superlative '最伟大的'.

8

人类在二十一世纪面临着气候挑战。

Humanity faces climate challenges in the 21st century.

Formal verb '面临' (to face).

1

这场世纪大灾难改变了历史的进程。

This catastrophe of the century changed the course of history.

Using '世纪' as an intensifier for 'catastrophe'.

2

这种思想在十七世纪是非常先进的。

This kind of thought was very advanced in the 17th century.

Discussing abstract concepts in a historical frame.

3

他们举办了一场备受瞩目的世纪婚礼。

They held a highly anticipated wedding of the century.

Using '世纪' to denote grandeur.

4

我们要培养具有跨世纪眼光的人才。

We need to cultivate talents with a cross-century vision.

'跨世纪眼光' (vision spanning centuries).

5

二十世纪的两次世界大战对人类影响深远。

The two world wars of the 20th century had a profound impact on humanity.

Describing 'profound impact' (影响深远).

6

本世纪中叶,全球人口可能会达到峰值。

By the middle of this century, the global population may reach its peak.

Using '峰值' (peak value) in a formal context.

7

这个发现被誉为二十一世纪的科学奇迹。

This discovery is hailed as a scientific miracle of the 21st century.

Formal phrase '被誉为' (hailed as).

8

在世纪之交,人们对未来充满了期待。

At the turn of the century, people were full of expectations for the future.

Idiomatic '充满了' (full of).

1

这部作品深刻地反映了二十世纪的社会动荡。

This work profoundly reflects the social unrest of the 20th century.

Using '深刻地反映' (profoundly reflect).

2

世纪末的颓废情绪在文学中得到了体现。

The fin-de-siècle decadence was reflected in literature.

Discussing '世纪末' as a cultural mood.

3

这是一项关乎人类未来几个世纪命运的工程。

This is a project that concerns the fate of humanity for the next few centuries.

Using '关乎' (concerns/relates to) and '几个世纪' (duration).

4

他那跨世纪的思想至今仍有指导意义。

His cross-century thoughts still have guiding significance today.

Using '至今仍有' (still has until now).

5

二十一世纪是生物科学的世纪。

The 21st century is the century of biological sciences.

A is B structure for categorical definition.

6

我们正站在新旧世纪交替的十字路口。

We are standing at the crossroads of the transition between the old and new centuries.

Metaphorical '十字路口' (crossroads).

7

这场辩论被称为“世纪之辩”。

This debate is known as the 'Debate of the Century'.

Using '之' to create a formal title.

8

该政策的影响将延续到下个世纪。

The impact of this policy will extend into the next century.

Using '延续到' (extend to).

1

在全球化的浪潮中,二十一世纪见证了权力的转移。

Amidst the wave of globalization, the 21st century has witnessed a shift in power.

Personifying '世纪' as a witness.

2

这种世纪性的变迁,非一日之功所能成就。

This century-defining change was not achieved in a single day.

Using '世纪性' (century-defining) and the idiom '非一日之功'.

3

文学家们常以“世纪”为尺度来审视人类文明。

Literary figures often use the 'century' as a scale to examine human civilization.

Using '以...为尺度' (using... as a scale).

4

世纪末的情结往往伴随着对旧秩序的怀念与不安。

The fin-de-siècle complex is often accompanied by nostalgia and unease for the old order.

Discussing psychological '情结' (complex).

5

他在二十世纪中叶的政治抉择,至今仍备受争议。

His political choices in the mid-20th century remain highly controversial to this day.

Using '备受争议' (highly controversial).

6

跨世纪的可持续发展战略是当务之急。

A cross-century sustainable development strategy is a matter of utmost urgency.

Using '当务之急' (top priority).

7

这种艺术风格在十九世纪末达到了巅峰。

This artistic style reached its peak at the end of the 19th century.

Using '达到了巅峰' (reached the peak).

8

我们必须以跨世纪的胸怀去拥抱变革。

We must embrace change with a cross-century breadth of mind.

Metaphorical use of '胸怀' (breadth of mind).

Häufige Kollokationen

二十一世纪 (21st century)
世纪之交 (turn of the century)
跨世纪 (cross-century)
世纪末 (end of the century)
世纪初 (beginning of the century)
本世纪 (this century)
上个世纪 (last century)
世纪大发现 (discovery of the century)
世纪婚礼 (wedding of the century)
世纪难题 (problem of the century)

Häufige Phrasen

进入新世纪 (entering the new century)

世纪之战 (battle of the century)

跨越世纪 (spanning across centuries)

世纪工程 (project of the century)

世纪之谜 (mystery of the century)

世纪中叶 (mid-century)

世纪伟人 (great man of the century)

世纪绝唱 (masterpiece of the century)

世纪钟声 (century bell toll)

世纪风云 (century's turbulent events)

Wird oft verwechselt mit

世纪 vs 年代 (niándài)

Refers to a decade (10 years) or a general era.

世纪 vs 时代 (shídài)

Refers to a period defined by characteristics, not fixed years.

世纪 vs 百年 (bǎinián)

Refers to the duration of 100 years, often for anniversaries.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

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Leicht verwechselbar

世纪 vs

世纪 vs

世纪 vs

世纪 vs

世纪 vs

Satzmuster

So verwendest du es

duration vs label

Use '三个世纪' for 300 years, but '三世纪' for the 3rd century AD.

Häufige Fehler
  • Saying '二十个世纪' when you mean 'the 20th century'.
  • Using '年代' (decade) when you mean '世纪' (century).
  • Adding '第' (dì) before the century number.
  • Putting the number after '世纪' (e.g., 世纪二十).
  • Confusing '世纪' with '百年' in fixed phrases like '百年老店'.

Tipps

No '第' needed

Don't use '第' before the number when naming a century. '二十世纪' is correct, not '第二十世纪'.

Century vs Decade

Remember: 世纪 = 100 years, 年代 = 10 years. Don't mix them up in history class!

The Chinese Century

The 21st century is often called the 'Chinese Century' in media. It's a great topic for discussion.

Formal 'This'

In writing, use '本世纪' instead of '这个世纪' for a more professional tone.

Time Adverbials

Place '世纪' phrases at the very beginning of your sentence to set the scene.

Tone Check

Listen for the double 4th tone (falling-falling) to identify 'shìjì' in fast speech.

Century Wedding

Hear '世纪婚礼'? It just means a very big, famous wedding, not one that lasts 100 years!

AD/BC

Always put '公元' (AD) or '公元前' (BC) before the number and '世纪'.

Century End

Use '世纪末' to describe the 'vibe' of the end of an era, not just the date.

World Record

World (世) + Record (纪) = A record of the world's 100-year history.

Einprägen

Wortherkunft

Compound of '世' (generation/life) and '纪' (record/period).

Kultureller Kontext

Centuries are the primary units for periodizing modern Chinese history.

Progress, history, grand scale, future.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Gesprächseinstiege

"你觉得二十一世纪最伟大的发明是什么?"

"你对下个世纪有什么期待?"

"你喜欢十九世纪的文学吗?"

"你认为这个世纪人类能搬到火星吗?"

"上个世纪九十年代你几岁?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

写一写你认为二十一世纪面临的最大挑战。

如果你能回到上个世纪,你想去哪一年?

描述一下你想象中的二十二世纪。

为什么人们总是怀念上个世纪?

谈谈你对“中国世纪”的看法。

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, Chinese does not use articles. Just say '21世纪'.

It is understandable but '一世纪' is the standard way to say it.

Say '二十世纪九十年代' or just '九十年代'.

Yes, if you mean a duration of 200 years.

It means 'the turn of the century,' specifically the transition period.

Use '公元前' (BC) and '公元' (AD) before the number. E.g., 公元前五世纪.

Yes, it is used in both formal and daily speech, but sounds more precise than '时代'.

Only metaphorically, like '世纪伟人' (great man of the century).

It means spanning across two centuries, often used for long-term projects.

二十世纪中叶 (èrshí shìjì zhōngyè).

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