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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'now' or 'presently' with 现在 (xiànzài)

    Time Expressions

    Structure

    现在 + Subject + Verb

    Explanation

    现在 (xiànzài) means 'now,' 'at present,' or 'currently.' It is one of the most common time words in Chinese, used to indicate the present moment. It typically appears before the verb, as in 现在她知道 (now she knows).

    Examples

    • 现在几点了？我们该出发了。

      Xiànzài jǐ diǎn le? Wǒmen gāi chūfā le.

      What time is it now? We should get going.

    • 他现在住在上海，工作很忙。

      Tā xiànzài zhù zài Shànghǎi, gōngzuò hěn máng.

      He lives in Shanghai now and is very busy with work.

    • 现在的天气比上周暖和多了。

      Xiànzài de tiānqì bǐ shàng zhōu nuǎnhuo duō le.

      The weather now is much warmer than last week.

    Similar Grammar

    Expressing 'now' or 'presently' with 现在 (xiànzài) | Chinese Grammar