Meaning of 现在
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- now; at present; currently
How to use 现在
现在 (xiànzài) usually goes before the verb or at the start of the sentence, like a time word. Example: 我现在很忙。(Wǒ xiànzài hěn máng.) I am busy now.
现 (xiàn) means to appear or show, as in 出现 (chūxiàn), and 在 (zài) means to be at a place or time. What is appearing right where you are is happening now.
Common mistake: Learners often put 现在 at the end of the sentence like English "now", as in 我很忙现在. In Chinese, time words come before the verb, so say 我现在很忙.
现在 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
现 xiàn · to appear · 8 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
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- 8
在 zài · to exist · 6 strokes
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- 2
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- 6
Related words
Words that share a character with 现在.
| 正在 | zhèngzài | to be in the process of (doing sth); to be currently ...-ing |
| 在家 | zàijiā | to be at home; (at a workplace) to be in (as opposed to being away on official business 出差 |
| 发现 | fāxiàn | to notice; to become aware of; to discover; to find; to detect |
| 出现 | chūxiàn | to appear; to arise; to emerge; to show up |
| 实在 | shízài | really; actually |
| 实现 | shíxiàn | to achieve; to implement; to realize; to bring about |
| 存在 | cúnzài | to exist; to be |
| 表现 | biǎoxiàn | to show; to show off |
| 现场 | xiànchǎng | the scene (of a crime, accident etc); (on) the spot |
| 现实 | xiànshí | reality; actuality; real; actual |
| 现金 | xiànjīn | cash |
| 现代 | xiàndài | modern times; modern age |
Questions about 现在
What does 现在 mean?
现在 (xiànzài) means "now; at present; currently" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 现在?
现在 is made of 2 characters: 现 (8 strokes), 在 (6 strokes). That is 14 strokes in total.
Is 现在 an HSK word?
Yes. 现在 is on the HSK 1 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 现在 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 现在 is written 現在.
What is the difference between 现在 and 正在?
现在 (xiànzài) is a time word meaning "now" or "at present". 正在 (zhèngzài) marks an action in progress, like "-ing". They often appear together: 我现在正在吃饭 (Wǒ xiànzài zhèngzài chīfàn), I am eating right now.
How do I ask what time it is using 现在?
Say 现在几点？(Xiànzài jǐ diǎn?), which means "What time is it now?" You can answer with 现在三点 (xiànzài sān diǎn), "It is three o'clock now."