Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 現在 / 现在 | xiànzài |
| 如今 | rújīn |
| 現今 / 现今 | xiànjīn |
| 現下 / 现下 | xiànxià |
| 現時 / 现时 | xiànshí |
| 這陣 / 这阵 | zhèzhèn |
| 這晚子 / 这晚子 |
Use 現在 / 现在 to refer to the immediate present moment. Use 如今 to describe the current state of affairs, often used when contrasting the present with the past, similar to "nowadays".
What does it mean word for word?
The word 現在 / 现在 is composed of 現 (appear/present) and 在 (at/in), literally meaning "at the present."
Which one should you use?
現在 / 现在 refers to the immediate present moment, whereas 如今 is used to discuss current trends or states, often acting as a contrast to how things used to be (similar to "nowadays").
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
現在 / 现在 is a common and standard way to express "now" in formal settings. 如今 is more formal and literary, frequently appearing in written contexts or when discussing social trends.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adverb of time, 現在 / 现在 is typically placed either before or after the subject of a sentence, but always before the verb.
How do you pronounce it?
xiànzài
Did you know?
- While English speakers use 'now' as a simple adverb, a Chinese speaker might use the phrase 這陣 / 这阵, which literally means 'this gust' or 'this burst', to describe a temporary current period.
- The characters in 現在 / 现在 contain the component 現, which is the same character used in 'appearance' or 'manifestation', linking the concept of 'now' to something becoming visible.
- In casual speech, the word 現在 / 现在 is often omitted entirely if the verb's context implies the present, making the word optional in ways English does not allow.
Examples in context
- 起初他以为英语很难，如今他觉得很简单。At first, he thought English very difficult, but now he thinks it is easy.The sentence shows how to contrast a past belief with a present feeling using 如今.Tatoeba #11243409 by klzlueylx, translation #267032 by CS
- 城堡如今已经成了废墟。The castle is now in ruins.This sentence uses 如今 to describe the current state of a landmark.Tatoeba #12267890 by DaoSeng, translation #46221 by CK
- 如今很多的货物都由飞机运送。Many goods are now transported by air.This sentence uses 如今 to discuss a modern method of transporting goods.Tatoeba #408272 by fucongcong, translation #241691 by CM
- 我现在在学中文。I am learning Chinese now.
- 请在此刻保持安静。Please remain quiet at this moment.
- 我而家要返工。I need to go back to work now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “now” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 現在, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
