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    Chinese Grammar

    Referring to the present time with 现在 (xiànzài)

    Time Expressions

    Structure

    现在 + Verb Phrase

    Explanation

    The word 现在 (xiànzài) means "now," "at present," or "currently." It is one of the most fundamental time words in Chinese, used to indicate the current moment or the present period. It can function as both a noun and an adverb in a sentence.

    Examples

    • 你现在有空吗？我想跟你聊聊。

      nǐ xiànzài yǒu kòng ma? wǒ xiǎng gēn nǐ liáoliao.

      Are you free right now? I'd like to chat with you.

    • 现在学中文的外国人越来越多了。

      xiànzài xué zhōngwén de wàiguó rén yuè lái yuè duōle.

      More and more foreigners are learning Chinese now.

    • 他现在住在上海，在一家科技公司上班。

      tā xiànzài zhù zài shànghǎi, zài yī jiā kējì gōngsī shàngbān.

      He lives in Shanghai now and works at a tech company.

    Similar Grammar

    Referring to the present time with 现在 (xiànzài) | Chinese Grammar