～代

～代 is used to refer to a specific time period or era in terms of years or decades. It is not about a person’s age; rather, it marks a historical era or the cultural/social atmosphere associated with that time. Use it after a number or year to indicate the decade or era, such as the 1910s, the 1960s, or the 1990s. It often appears in historical commentary, cultural discussions, fashion or music from a period, and when comparing times. Notes: - The kanji form is 年代, and the suffix 代 attaches to numbers or year ranges. - When speaking, you can shorten to just the number + 代 (e.g., 60代 is less common in speech; more common is 60年代). - Do not confuse with 人の年齢を示す代 (age). This usage strictly marks eras/decades.