現在 / 现在
xiànzài
The English phrase "right now" can be translated into Chinese as 現在 / 现在 (xiànzài). If unsure, use 現在 / 现在. Wiktionary also lists 此時 / 此时 (cǐshí).
Meaning: at this precise moment (adv)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 現在 / 现在 | xiànzài | |
| 此時 / 此时 | cǐshí | formal |
The phrase is used to indicate the precise moment or the current time.
Which one should you use?
While 現在 / 现在 is the common way to say "right now", 此時 / 此时 is a more formal and literary way to say "at this moment". If you wish to emphasize the immediacy of the moment, you can use 就在現在 or 现在就, where the addition of 就 intensifies the sense of "right now".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
現在 / 现在 is a standard and formal translation. 此時 / 此时 is a formal option with a more literary feel. For informal situations where you want to stress that something must happen immediately, you can use 现在就.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a time adverbial, 現在 can be placed either at the beginning of a sentence or after the subject to indicate the current time.
How do you pronounce it?
xiànzài
Did you know?
- While English speakers might say 'Right now!' to express urgency, a Chinese speaker might use 馬上 (mǎshàng), which literally means 'on horse'. It refers to the speed of a messenger on horseback arriving at a destination.
- In Chinese, the characters for 'now' 現在 literally break down into 現 meaning 'to appear' and 在 meaning 'to exist'. This suggests that the present is the moment when something becomes visible or manifests.
- The character 現 in 現在 is also the root for words meaning 'cash' or 'current' in a financial sense, implying that money paid 'now' is the most real form of value.
Examples in context
- 你可以现在开始工作。You can start working now.
- 我需要你现在来会议室。I need you to come to the conference room right now.
- 请立即回答我的问题，此刻是关键时刻。Please answer my question immediately, this is a crucial moment.
- 此刻，我们应该做出正确的决定。At this moment, we should make the right decision.
- 他现在就来。He's coming right now.
- 我要现在就离开。I want to leave right now.
- 我马上就到。I'll be there in a moment.
- 请你马上停止这种行为。Please stop this behavior immediately.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “right now” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
