Meaning
目前 is a formal time word that refers to the present moment or current situation. It literally means 'in front of the eyes' (目 = eye, 前 = front), suggesting what is immediately visible or happening now. It's commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese to describe the current state of affairs.
Usage
目前 is more formal than 现在 (xiàn zài) and is frequently used in news reports, business contexts, and formal discussions. It often appears at the beginning of sentences to set the temporal context. Native speakers use it when discussing current situations, ongoing conditions, or the status quo, especially when implying that circumstances may change in the future.
Examples
- 01目前我们公司有两百多名员工。.Currently our company has over two hundred employees.
- 02这个问题目前还没有解决。.This problem has not been resolved at the moment.
Characters
Common collocations
- 目前的情况the current situation
- 目前来看from the current perspective
- 目前为止up to now, so far
Antonyms
Origin
The compound combines 目 (eye) and 前 (front), literally meaning 'before the eyes' or 'in front of one's eyes,' which metaphorically extends to mean 'at the present moment' or 'currently.'