noun / time word HSK 5
Traditional 當今
nowadays · at present · in the present era · contemporary times
Meaning
当今 refers to the current time period or present era. It's a formal time expression often used to discuss contemporary society, trends, or situations. The word emphasizes the current state of affairs in contrast to the past.
Usage
当今 appears frequently in formal writing, news reports, and academic contexts. It's more formal than 现在 (xiànzài) and often precedes nouns like 社会 (society) or 世界 (world). Native speakers use it when making observations or statements about modern times, especially in written Chinese.
Examples
- 01当今社会，科技发展速度非常快。, .In today's society, technology develops very rapidly.
- 02环境保护是当今世界面临的重要问题。.Environmental protection is an important issue facing the world today.
Characters
Common collocations
- 当今社会present-day society
- 当今世界today's world
- 当今时代the present era
Antonyms
Origin
当 originally meant 'to face' or 'to bear' but evolved to mean 'current' or 'present'. Combined with 今 (now/today), 当今 literally means 'the present now', emphasizing the current moment in time.