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March 24, 2026
至今zhìjīn(zhi4jin1)
至今 (zhì jīn) means 'until now' or 'to this day', referring to a point in time that extends from the past to the present. It is commonly used to describe ongoing situations or events that have not changed over time, often indicating a sense of continuity or relevance.
Frequency#4343DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
The concept of time in Chinese culture often emphasizes continuity and the importance of historical context. Using 至今 can reflect a respect for tradition and the ongoing relevance of past events in the present.
Memory Tip
Imagine a clock that has not moved since a significant event occurred. The hands are stuck at that moment, symbolizing '至 (zhì)' as 'to' and '今 (jīn)' as 'now'. Visualize this clock as a reminder that something is still true or relevant up to this very moment.
Meanings of 至今
zhìjīn(zhi4jin1)
1so far
2to this day
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 至今
至今Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#4343Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 至今
Podcast: 至今
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AI Study Notes for 至今
Quick Contrast
至今 (zhìjīn) vs 直到 (zhídào) — use 至今 for emphasis on ongoing relevance from the past, while 直到 focuses on a specific endpoint.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a clock that has not moved since a significant event occurred. The hands are stuck at that moment, symbolizing '至 (zhì)' as 'to' and '今 (jīn)' as 'now'. Visualize this clock as a reminder that something is still true or relevant up to this very moment.
Usage Notes
Be cautious about using 至今 in formal contexts, as it may sound slightly informal. It is often paired with time-related phrases, such as '至今没有' (until now, there hasn't been...). Avoid confusing it with similar terms like '从来' (cóng lái), which suggests a more absolute past.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 至今 connects well with other temporal expressions like 以前 (yǐ qián, 'before') and 现在 (xiàn zài, 'now'). Students should focus on using it in sentences that describe experiences or ongoing situations to reinforce its meaning.
Cultural Note
The concept of time in Chinese culture often emphasizes continuity and the importance of historical context. Using 至今 can reflect a respect for tradition and the ongoing relevance of past events in the present.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 至今 with 目前 (mù qián, 'currently'), leading to sentences like '我目前还没完成' (wǒ mù qián hái méi wán chéng) when they mean to express something ongoing from the past. The correct phrase would be '我至今还没完成' (wǒ zhì jīn hái méi wán chéng).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 至今
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Grammar Patterns of 至今
至今 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
I know that you'vebeen studying chimpanzees for thirty years now.
3
那棵百年老树至今还长得好好儿的.
nà kē bǎi nián lǎo shù zhì jīn huán cháng dé hǎo hǎo ér de.
That hundred - year - old tree is still growing well.
Cultural Notes for 至今
🏮Cultural insight
The concept of time in Chinese culture often emphasizes continuity and the importance of historical context. Using 至今 can reflect a respect for tradition and the ongoing relevance of past events in the present.
Frequently Asked Questions about 至今
Yes, 至今 is appropriate in both spoken and written contexts, though it may be more common in informal conversation.
Yes, you can use 直到现在 (zhídào xiànzài) which also means 'until now'.
You can say '我至今还记得那天的事情' (wǒ zhì jīn hái jì dé nà tiān de shì qing), meaning 'I still remember what happened that day until now'.
