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现在 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
现在xiànzàinowHSK 1, t, rank #56, Easy
现在xiànzàiat presentHSK 1, t, rank #56, Easy
现在xiànzàiat the momentHSK 1, t, rank #56, Easy
现在xiànzàimodernHSK 1, t, rank #56, Easy
现在xiànzàicurrentHSK 1, t, rank #56, Easy
现在xiànzàinowadaysHSK 1, t, rank #56, Easy
xiànzài(xian4zai4) T4
  1. 1now
  2. 2at present
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
现在(現在)xiànzài(xian4zai4)

现在 (xiànzài) refers to the current moment or present time. It is commonly used in everyday conversation to indicate something happening now or to inquire about the current status of something.

Frequency#56DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note

In China, the concept of 'now' is often tied to a fast-paced lifestyle, with a strong emphasis on immediacy in communication and business. Understanding 现在 helps learners grasp the urgency often present in Chinese culture.

Memory Tip

Imagine a clock showing the exact moment of 'now.' The '现' (xiàn) component looks like a person standing up straight, signifying 'now,' while '在' (zài) indicates a location, together implying being present at this very moment.

Meanings of 现在

xiànzài(xian4zai4)
1now
2at present
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 现在

现在Simplified
現在Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
时间词time word (t.)Part of Speech
#56Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L1HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 现在

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Podcast: 现在

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AI Study Notes for 现在

Quick Contrast

现在 (xiànzài) vs 此刻 (cǐkè) — use 现在 for general present time references, while 此刻 emphasizes a specific moment.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a clock showing the exact moment of 'now.' The '现' (xiàn) component looks like a person standing up straight, signifying 'now,' while '在' (zài) indicates a location, together implying being present at this very moment.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 现在 with earlier or future time expressions. It is informal and widely used in spoken language, but in formal writing, you might choose to use alternatives like 当前 (dāngqián). Common collocations include '现在几点?' (What time is it now?).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 1 word, 现在 connects with other basic time-related words such as '今天' (jīntiān, today) and '明天' (míngtiān, tomorrow). Focus on practicing its usage in sentences to describe current activities.

Cultural Note

In China, the concept of 'now' is often tied to a fast-paced lifestyle, with a strong emphasis on immediacy in communication and business. Understanding 现在 helps learners grasp the urgency often present in Chinese culture.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 现在 when referring to past or future events, like saying 现在我去商店 (Now I went to the store). The correct phrase for a past action would be '我刚去商店' (I just went to the store).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 现在

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Component Characters

现xiànto appear
HSK 48 strokes王
View full entry
在zài(located) at
HSK 16 strokes土
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Write 现在

现
在

Practice writing 现在 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 现在

现在 carries 6 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.

Related grammar lessons6
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

____五点半。

It's 5:30 right now.

Example Sentences for 现在 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
现在让我来将我的论点串起来。

xiàn zài ràng wǒ lái jiāng wǒ de lùn diǎn chuàn qǐ lái。

Let me now pull together the threads of my argument.
2
现在夫妻双方分别按各自的收入纳税。

xiàn zài fū qī shuāng fāng fēn bié àn gè zì de shōu rù nà shuì。

Husband and wife are now taxed separately on their incomes.
3
现在人们开始意识到必须采取断然的行动。

xiàn zài rén mén kāi shǐ yì shí dào bì xū cǎi qǔ duàn rán de háng dòng。

Now there is a dawning realisation that drastic action is necessary.
4
“现在给我讲述一下你的航程吧。”——“非常乐意，先生。”

“ “ xiàn zài gěi wǒ jiǎng shù yī xià nǐ de háng chéng。”——“ bā 。”——“ fēi cháng， lè yì。”

"Now give me some account of your voyage." — "Very good, sir."
5
现在可以回答你的问题了，你母亲失望的原因就在这里。

xiàn zài kě yǐ huí dá nǐ de wèn tí le， ， nǐ mǔ qīn shī wàng de yuán yīn jiù zài zhè。

And so, to answer your question, that's why your mother is disappointed.
6
我敢打赌迪安现在就在你办公室。

wǒ gǎn dǎ dǔ dí ān xiàn zài jiù zài nǐ bàn gōng shì。

I'll lay odds that Dean is at your office right now.
7
住手吧，佩里。你已经逞过英雄了。现在一切都结束了。

zhù shǒu bā， ， pèi。 lǐ 。 nǐ yǐ jīng chěng guò yīng。 xióng le 。 xiàn zài yī qiē dū。

Cut it out, Perry. You've performed your heroics. It's all over now.
8
你现在已经拿到学位了，打算做什么？

nǐ xiàn zài yǐ jīng ná dào xué wèi le， ， dǎ suàn zuò shí？

Now you've got your degree, what will you do?
9
现在看来似乎悲观论者是正确的。

xiàn zài kàn lái sì hū bēi guān lùn zhě shì zhèng què de。

It looks as if the pessimists are being proved right.
10
现在，网球明星的随行人员中有些是心理培训师。

xiàn zài， ， wǎng qiú míng xīng de suí háng rén yuán zhōng yǒu xiē shì xīn lǐ péi xùn。

Mind trainers are now part of a tennis star's retinue.

Cultural Notes for 现在

🏮Cultural insight

In China, the concept of 'now' is often tied to a fast-paced lifestyle, with a strong emphasis on immediacy in communication and business. Understanding 现在 helps learners grasp the urgency often present in Chinese culture.

Frequently Asked Questions about 现在

You can say 现在我在学习中文 (Right now, I am studying Chinese).