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Expressing the last years of a period with 末年 (mònián)
Structure
Dynasty/Period + 末年
Explanation
The noun 末年 (mònián) means "the last years" or "the final years" and is used to describe the closing period of a dynasty, era, or century. It is a common term in historical writing, often paired with a dynasty or period name, such as 东汉末年 (the last years of the Eastern Han). It signals a time of decline or transition.
Examples
东汉末年，天下大乱，群雄并起。
Dōng Hàn mònián, tiānxià dàluàn, qúnxióng bìngqǐ.
At the end of the Eastern Han dynasty, the world was in chaos and rival warlords rose up everywhere.
清朝末年，很多人开始向海外移民。
Qīngcháo mònián, hěn duō rén kāishǐ xiàng hǎiwài yímín.
At the end of the Qing dynasty, many people began emigrating overseas.
那个朝代的末年，百姓生活非常艰苦。
Nàge cháodài de mònián, bǎixìng shēnghuó fēicháng jiānkǔ.
In the final years of that dynasty, the common people's lives were very hard.