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此刻 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
此刻cǐkèthis momentHSK 6, unknown, rank #4101, Hard
此刻cǐkènowHSK 6, unknown, rank #4101, Hard
此刻cǐkèat presentHSK 6, unknown, rank #4101, Hard
cǐkè(ci3ke4) T3
  1. 1this moment
  2. 2now
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
此刻()cǐkè(ci3ke4)

此刻 refers to the present moment or now. It is often used in both formal and informal contexts to emphasize immediacy and the current time, conveying a sense of urgency or significance in a situation.

Frequency#4101DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 'this moment' is often tied to mindfulness and awareness. Phrases that emphasize present experiences are common in literature and philosophy, reflecting the cultural value placed on living in the moment.

Memory Tip

Think of 此刻 as 'this' (此) and 'moment' (刻). Imagine standing at a specific moment in time, looking around and saying, 'This is the moment!' The 'ci' sounds like 'see' and 'ke' sounds like 'cut'—as if you are cutting out this moment from time.

Meanings of 此刻

cǐkè(ci3ke4)
1this moment
2now
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 此刻

此刻Simplified
Traditional
Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRB2

Podcast: 此刻

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Podcast: 此刻

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AI Study Notes for 此刻

Quick Contrast

现在 (xiànzài) - use 此刻 to emphasize a more urgent or significant present moment compared to the more neutral 现在.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 此刻 as 'this' (此) and 'moment' (刻). Imagine standing at a specific moment in time, looking around and saying, 'This is the moment!' The 'ci' sounds like 'see' and 'ke' sounds like 'cut'—as if you are cutting out this moment from time.

Usage Notes

Be cautious of using 此刻 in overly casual contexts, as it can sound a bit formal. Common collocations include 此刻的感觉 (the feeling at this moment) or 此刻的选择 (the choice at this moment). Students often confuse it with 现在 (xiànzài), which is more general for 'now.'

HSK Study Tips

While 此刻 is not a listed word in HSK levels, it is beneficial for learners at HSK 4 and above to understand its usage. Focus on using it in sentences that express urgency or importance, as this will help you convey subtleties in conversations.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 'this moment' is often tied to mindfulness and awareness. Phrases that emphasize present experiences are common in literature and philosophy, reflecting the cultural value placed on living in the moment.

Common Mistakes

Learners often incorrectly use 此刻 in casual conversations where 现在 would be more appropriate. For example, saying '此刻我们去吃饭' (At this moment, let's go eat) sounds overly formal; instead, use '现在我们去吃饭.'

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 此刻

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Component Characters

this
HSK 46 strokes
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quarter (hour)
HSK 38 strokes
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Write 此刻

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Cultural Notes for 此刻

💡Did you know?

在中文中,‘此刻’不仅仅表示时间,还常常用于诗歌中,表达对当下情感的深刻感知。它引导人们关注现在,反思生活的意义。

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of 'this moment' is often tied to mindfulness and awareness. Phrases that emphasize present experiences are common in literature and philosophy, reflecting the cultural value placed on living in the moment.

📜Proverb

‘此刻’常常与‘珍惜当下’这一思想相联系,强调生活的每一瞬间都值得珍惜。

Frequently Asked Questions about 此刻

此刻 is generally used in both formal and informal contexts. However, it may be more prevalent in written language or formal speech, such as in literature or news reports, to convey a sense of immediacy.