目前 mùqián at the present time
at the present time; currently
How to remember 目前: 目 eye + 前 in front = at the present time.
Characters
How it is used
- Formal time adverb/noun meaning 'at present, currently', common in news, reports, and writing.
- 目前情况还不清楚 (mùqián qíngkuàng hái bù qīngchu) - The situation is still unclear at present.
- Contrast with everyday 现在 (xiànzài, the default word for 'now') - 目前 sounds more formal and often implies 'as of now, pending further developments'.
- Rare in casual chat; a news anchor or report says 目前, a friend says 现在.
Example sentences
- 目前我问题很多。 Mùqián wǒ wèntí hěnduō.I have a lot of problems at the moment.
- 目前我待在酒店。 Mùqián wǒdài zài jiǔdiàn.I am staying at the hotel for the time being.
- 他和他的姐妹们目前都住在东京。 Tā hé tā de jiěmèi men mùqián dōu zhù zài dōngjīng.He and his sisters are currently living in Tokyo.