现在 (xiàn zài) means now or at present. It is one of the most basic time words in Mandarin and can function as an adverb (现在走, leave now) or a noun (现在很忙, right now I am busy; 现在的年轻人, today's young people). It contrasts with 以前 (yǐ qián, before) and 以后 (yǐ hòu, after/later). In formal contexts, 目前 (mù qián, at present) is used instead.