(れきだい)

れきだい
noun, pre-noun adjectival
successive, all previous, through the ages
1. successive, all previous, throughout history
Refers to all holders of a position or all instances across generations. Used as a modifier before nouns to mean "every successive" or "all previous."
歴代(れきだい)大統領(だいとうりょう)名前(なまえ)(おぼ)える。
To memorize the names of all previous presidents.
この記録(きろく)歴代(れきだい)最高(さいこう)だ。
This is the all-time best record.
歴代(れきだい)首相(しゅしょう)(なか)(もっと)在任(ざいにん)期間(きかん)(なが)かったのは(だれ)ですか。
Who among all the previous prime ministers had the longest term in office?

USAGE:
Almost always used as a modifier before a noun: 歴代(れきだい)の + noun or 歴代(れきだい) + noun (without の). Refers to all people or things that have held a particular role or position across successive generations.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 歴代(れきだい)最高(さいこう): all-time best/highest
  • 歴代(れきだい)最多(さいた): most ever, all-time most
  • 歴代(れきだい)首相(しゅしょう): all successive prime ministers
  • 歴代(れきだい)社長(しゃちょう): all successive company presidents
  • 歴代(れきだい)一位(いちい): number one of all time