(xiàn zài) - now, at present in Mandarin
xiànzàiTraditional: 現在
Translation
now, at present
Word origin
A two-character compound meaning now. 现 (xiàn) 'to appear, present' has the 玉 'jade' radical with 见 (jiàn) 'to see' as phonetic, and 在 (zài) 'to exist, at' marks present existence.
- Origin
- compound
- Root
- 现 (xiàn, 'present'; 玉 radical + 见 phonetic) + 在 (zài, 'to exist/at')
Stroke order
现
在
Examples
？
What time is it now?
，。
I am very busy now, let us talk later.
。
Young people nowadays all like using their phones.
。
I am setting off right now.
？
Where are you now?
Where this fits
Used in
Stories
(14)你去吗？
1 min read · Core 1000
朋友找我
1 min read · Core 1000
不知道在哪里
2 min read · Core 1000
打电话
3 min read · Core 1000
大伟的工作
3 min read · Core 1000
看医生
3 min read · Core 1000
迷路
3 min read · Core 1000
上班第一天
3 min read · Core 1000
今年去哪里
4 min read · Core 1000
卖东西的地方
4 min read · Core 1000
都变了
5 min read · Core 5000
旧手机
5 min read · Core 5000
那件事
5 min read · Core 5000
小云的梦想
5 min read · Core 5000
Grammar articles
(5)Mandarin Conditionals: 如果, 要是, 的话 and the 就 That Finishes the Sentence
Mandarin Verb Conjugation: Why It Doesn't Exist and What Replaces It
The Mandarin Copula 是 (shì): To Be, and When to Leave It Out
就 (jiù) vs 才 (cái) in Mandarin: Sooner Than Expected, Later Than Expected
Mandarin 性 (xìng) and 化 (huà): Building Abstract Nouns and '-ise' Verbs
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现在: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Mandarin word "现在" (now, at present): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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