noun, noun, used as a suffix
Used for monetary charges, fees, or prices. Often appears as a suffix on specific nouns (e.g., 電気代, 食事代).
今月の電気代が高かった。
This month's electricity bill was high.
食事代は一人3000円です。
The meal charge is 3000 yen per person.
noun, noun, used as a suffix
generation; age; school year; cohort; reign
Refers to a generation of people, a school year cohort, or a historical reign. Often used as a suffix (e.g., 20代, 昭和代).
彼は20代で起業した。
He started his business in his twenties.
私は平成生まれの世代です。
I'm of the generation born in the Heisei era.
noun, noun, used as a suffix
Geological era. Technical term used in geology.
中生代は恐竜の時代です。
The Mesozoic Era is the age of dinosaurs.
noun, noun, used as a suffix
representative of; on behalf of; for (someone)
Used after a person's name or title to mean 'on behalf of' or 'representing'. Common in formal contexts.
社長代として会議に出席した。
I attended the meeting on behalf of the president.
noun, noun, used as a suffix
Used after a phone number to indicate a main switchboard number. Often seen in business contact information.
See also: 代表電話番号
お問い合わせは03-1234-5678（代）まで。
For inquiries, call 03-1234-5678 (main switchboard).
counter
counter for decades, eras, generations
Counter used for decades of age (e.g., 20代), historical eras, or generations of rulers. Covers both decades and generational succession.
30代の女性に人気のブランドです。
It's a brand popular with women in their thirties.
第2代大統領は誰ですか。
Who was the second president?
noun
proxy application company (abbr.)
Abbreviation of 代理申請会社. Rare standalone use; mainly seen in business contexts.
See also: 代理申請会社
この書類は代に依頼して提出してもらった。
I had a proxy application company submit these documents.
noun
pronoun (abbr., dictionary use)
Abbreviation of 代名詞, used in dictionaries and linguistic contexts. Not used in everyday speech.
See also: 代名詞
辞書では「代」と略されることがある。
In dictionaries, it is sometimes abbreviated as 代.