How to Say “A century” in Chinese
Time and dates · HSK 4
"A century" in Chinese is 一个世纪 (yī gè shìjì). 世纪 (shìjì) is the word for 'century' and unlike 年, it does take the measure word 个. So 'a century' is 一个世纪, never 一世纪 in spoken Mandarin.
Primary translation
一个世纪
yī gè shìjì
Traditional: 一個世紀
When to use it
世纪 (shìjì) is the word for 'century' and unlike 年, it does take the measure word 个. So 'a century' is 一个世纪, never 一世纪 in spoken Mandarin. To say '21st century' you'd say 二十一世纪 (èrshíyī shìjì); no 个 needed when specifying which one, only when counting. Chinese speakers often reach for 一百年 (yībǎi nián, 'one hundred years') in casual talk instead of 一个世纪, which sounds more formal or academic. The idiom 百年难遇 (bǎi nián nán yù, 'hard to encounter in a hundred years') is a common way to express 'once-in-a-century'.
Example sentences
这座桥已经有一个世纪的历史了。
Zhè zuò qiáo yǐjīng yǒu yī gè shìjì de lìshǐ le.
This bridge already has a century of history.
二十一世纪是科技发展最快的时代。
Èrshíyī shìjì shì kējì fāzhǎn zuì kuài de shídài.
The 21st century is the era of fastest tech development.
这是百年难遇的机会。
Zhè shì bǎi nián nán yù de jīhuì.
This is a once-in-a-century opportunity.