目前 (mù qián) — currently; at present | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

Currently / at present — a more formal written equivalent of 现在. Use 现在 in everyday speech; 目前 fits reports, news, and formal contexts.

noun

currentlyat present

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

The 目 'eye' and 前 'front' give 'before the eyes', hence the present time.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

目 began as a drawing of a human eye, turned sideways.

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

In the older form of 前, 止 (foot) and 舟 (boat) showed a foot on a boat moving forward; in the current 前 those parts are shortened.

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