1.
modern literature; contemporary literature
Literature from the modern era, generally referring to works from the post-World War II period onward in Japanese literary studies. The exact time boundary varies by context.
現代文学を研究している。
I am studying modern literature.
村上春樹は日本の現代文学を代表する作家だ。
Haruki Murakami is a representative author of modern Japanese literature.
大学の授業で現代文学と古典文学の違いについて論じた。
In a university class, we discussed the differences between modern and classical literature.
USAGE:
In Japanese literary studies, 現代文学 typically refers to post-WWII literature, while 近代文学 covers the Meiji through early Showa periods. The boundary is not always strict and varies by scholar.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 現代文学の傑作 (masterpiece of modern literature)
- 日本現代文学 (modern Japanese literature)
- 現代文学研究 (modern literature studies)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 近代文学: modern literature (Meiji-early Showa) — an earlier period than 現代文学
- 古典文学: classical literature — pre-modern works