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代沟 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
代沟dàigōu代沟 (dàigōu) refers to the generational gap or the differences in attitudes, values, and behaviors between different age groups, particularly between parents and their children. It is commonly used in discussions about social changes and family dynamics in modern society, highlighting how each generation faces unique challenges and perspectives.HSK 5, 16 strokes, Hard
dàigōu(dai4gou1) T4
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May 27, 2026
代沟dàigōu(dai4gou1)

代沟 (dàigōu) refers to the generational gap or the differences in attitudes, values, and behaviors between different age groups, particularly between parents and their children. It is commonly used in discussions about social changes and family dynamics in modern society, highlighting how each generation faces unique challenges and perspectives.

Strokes16Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 代沟 is particularly significant due to rapid societal changes, especially in urban areas where younger generations are adopting different lifestyles and values compared to their parents. This often leads to friction in family relationships.

Memory Tip

Imagine a '代' (dài) signifying 'substitution' or 'generation' and '沟' (gōu) meaning 'ditch' or 'gap.' Picture two generations standing on either side of a deep ditch, struggling to communicate across it. This visualizes both the meaning of the term and its pronunciation.

About 代沟

代沟Simplified
16Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2

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Podcast: 代沟

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AI Study Notes for 代沟

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a '代' (dài) signifying 'substitution' or 'generation' and '沟' (gōu) meaning 'ditch' or 'gap.' Picture two generations standing on either side of a deep ditch, struggling to communicate across it. This visualizes both the meaning of the term and its pronunciation.

Usage Notes

When using 代沟, it's important to be aware of the context, as it can be informal in discussions about family issues but may also appear in academic texts on sociology. Common mistakes include confusing it with related terms like 代替 (dàitì, 'substitute') or using it in overly formal contexts where a simpler term may suffice.

HSK Study Tips

At HSK Level 5, focus on using 代沟 in discussions about family, society, and generational issues. Connect it to vocabulary related to family dynamics and social change, such as 家庭 (jiātíng, 'family') and 文化 (wénhuà, 'culture').

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 代沟 is particularly significant due to rapid societal changes, especially in urban areas where younger generations are adopting different lifestyles and values compared to their parents. This often leads to friction in family relationships.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 代沟 to refer to differences in opinions between friends rather than generational differences. For instance, saying '我和朋友之间有代沟' (I have a generational gap with my friend) is incorrect; it should be used specifically for age-related contexts.

AI-enhanced 2026-05-27

Pronunciation of 代沟

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Cultural Notes for 代沟

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of 代沟 is particularly significant due to rapid societal changes, especially in urban areas where younger generations are adopting different lifestyles and values compared to their parents. This often leads to friction in family relationships.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

While generational gaps exist in many cultures, the emphasis on filial piety in Chinese culture can make the 代沟 feel more pronounced compared to Western societies, where individualism may lead to more open discussions about generational differences.

Frequently Asked Questions about 代沟

You can say, '我们之间有很大的代沟,' meaning 'There is a significant generational gap between us.'