A century is a span of one hundred years, used to mark time and historical significance.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A period of one hundred years.
- Used to describe historical eras.
- Often implies significant long-term impact.
1) 概述：世纪（shìjì）是一个时间单位，等于一百年。例如，21世纪是从2001年到2100年。它不仅是一个纯粹的时间概念，还常被赋予文化和历史的厚重感。
2) 用法模式：通常与数字连用，如“20世纪”、“21世纪”。在修饰名词时，常用“世纪之交”、“世纪末”等表达。它也常用于形容词性短语，如“世纪工程”或“世纪婚礼”，表示规模宏大、极其罕见或具有重大影响。
3) 常见语境：主要出现在历史描述、新闻报道、科技评论和文学作品中。例如，“21世纪是科技飞速发展的时代”，强调时间段的特征；或者“这是上个世纪的产物”，表达某种东西比较老旧。
4) 近义词辨析：与“年代”相比，“世纪”跨度更大（100年对10年）。与“时代”相比，“世纪”更侧重于时间刻度，而“时代”侧重于社会特征或生活方式。理解“世纪”有助于准确把握历史脉络和宏观时间感。
Examples
我们生活在21世纪。
everydayWe live in the 21st century.
这是上个世纪的建筑。
formalThis is a building from the last century.
这是一场世纪之战。
informalThis is the battle of the century.
20世纪见证了科技的飞跃。
academicThe 20th century witnessed a leap in technology.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
世纪之交
turn of the century
世纪工程
project of the century
世纪婚礼
wedding of the century
Often Confused With
Refers to a decade (10 years) rather than a century (100 years). Use '年代' for specific periods like the 1980s.
Refers to an era or age defined by social or cultural characteristics, not necessarily a fixed number of years.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The term '世纪' is neutral and formal. It is widely used in both academic writing and daily conversation. Ensure you always place the number before the word.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse the starting year of a century (e.g., thinking the 21st century started in 2000). Also, ensure you do not use it to refer to short time spans.
Tips
Use with specific numbers
Always pair '世纪' with a number like '21世纪' to be precise. It acts as a standard chronological anchor in writing.
Century start confusion
Remember that centuries start on the year ending in '01' not '00'. This is a common historical fact check.
Hyperbolic usage in media
Chinese media often uses '世纪' to describe record-breaking events. It conveys a sense of grandeur and historical scale.
Word Origin
The word is composed of '世' (generation/world) and '纪' (to record/order). Together, they define a period long enough to encompass several generations.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, centuries are often used to define historical eras of progress or change. It carries a sense of long-term legacy and historical perspective.
Memory Tip
Think of '世纪' as '100 years of history'. Just like a centipede has many legs, a century has many years.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions21世纪从2001年1月1日开始，到2100年12月31日结束。很多人误以为是从2000年开始，但根据公历计算，世纪是以1年为起点的。
指两个世纪交替的时候，通常指19世纪末20世纪初，或20世纪末21世纪初。它常用来形容社会变革或历史转折点。
这是一种夸张的修辞，表示这场婚礼规模宏大、极其隆重，仿佛一百年才难得一见。它强调了事件的稀有性和影响力。
年代指十年，如“八十年代”；世纪指一百年。年代更具体，世纪更宏观。
Test Yourself
我们现在生活在___。
当前年份位于2001年至2100年之间，属于21世纪。
___工程。
“世纪工程”是常用搭配，表示工程规模宏大，影响深远。
是 / 21世纪 / 的 / 我们 / 时代
这是一个完整的陈述句，符合中文语法逻辑。
Score: /3
Summary
A century is a span of one hundred years, used to mark time and historical significance.
- A period of one hundred years.
- Used to describe historical eras.
- Often implies significant long-term impact.
Use with specific numbers
Always pair '世纪' with a number like '21世纪' to be precise. It acts as a standard chronological anchor in writing.
Century start confusion
Remember that centuries start on the year ending in '01' not '00'. This is a common historical fact check.
Hyperbolic usage in media
Chinese media often uses '世纪' to describe record-breaking events. It conveys a sense of grandeur and historical scale.
Examples
4 of 4我们生活在21世纪。
We live in the 21st century.
这是上个世纪的建筑。
This is a building from the last century.
这是一场世纪之战。
This is the battle of the century.
20世纪见证了科技的飞跃。
The 20th century witnessed a leap in technology.
