Meaning of 目前
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- at the present time
- currently
How to use 目前
目前 is a time word that usually goes at the start of a sentence or right before the verb. It often sounds a little formal, like news or work reports, and suggests the situation may change later. Example: 目前他住在北京。(Mùqián tā zhù zài Běijīng.) He currently lives in Beijing.
目 (mù) is an eye and 前 (qián) means in front. What is right in front of your eyes is what is happening now, so 目前 means at present.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 目前 with 以前 (yǐqián). 以前 means before or formerly, while 目前 means now, so 目前我是学生 means I am a student now, not in the past. Also keep the fourth tone on 目 (mù) and do not flatten it.
目前 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.
目 mù · eye · 5 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
前 qián · front · 9 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
Related words
Words that share a character with 目前.
| 前天 | qiántiān | the day before yesterday |
| 前边 | qiánbian | front; the front side |
| 以前 | yǐqián | before; formerly |
| 面前 | miànqián | in front of; facing |
| 目的 | mùdì | purpose; aim; goal; target; objective |
| 节目 | jiémù | (TV or radio) program; show; item; act; segment; number (on the program of a concert, vari |
| 前年 | qiánnián | the year before last |
| 目标 | mùbiāo | target; goal |
| 前面 | qiánmiàn | ahead; in front |
| 前进 | qiánjìn | to go forward; to forge ahead |
| 前往 | qiánwǎng | to leave for; to proceed towards; to go to |
| 眼前 | yǎnqián | before one's eyes; now |
Questions about 目前
What does 目前 mean?
目前 (mùqián) means "at the present time; currently" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 目前?
目前 is made of 2 characters: 目 (5 strokes), 前 (9 strokes). That is 14 strokes in total.
Is 目前 an HSK word?
Yes. 目前 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 目前 and 现在?
Both mean now, but 现在 (xiànzài) is more casual and can mean this exact moment. 目前 refers to the current period or situation and sounds more formal. You can say 现在几点 for the time, but not 目前几点.
Can 目前 be used after a preposition like 到?
Yes. 到目前为止 (dào mùqián wéizhǐ) means up to now or so far, and it is very common. For example, 到目前为止一切都好 means so far everything is fine.