noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', adverb
the present age; these days; current era
Refers to the current period or generation, often used in formal or written contexts. Can function as a noun, no-adjective, or adverb.
Young people these days are knowledgeable about digital technology.
He is known as the greatest painter of the present age.
先代 is the previous head of a family or generation, while 当代 is the current head or generation holding that position now.
Compound of 当 (current, this) and 代 (age, generation). The familial sense likely developed from the idea of 'the current generation' of a family.