此刻

cǐ kè

HSK 3.0 Level 6 Noun Common

Definitions

1. this moment
2. now
3. at present

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Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

刚才

gāng cái

just now

刚才 means 'just now' (a moment ago), opposite to the immediate present.

Register variants

1 item

当下

dāng xià

immediately

当下 is a slightly more colloquial or modern register variant also meaning 'at the present moment'.

Synonyms

2 items

现在

xiàn zài

now

Both mean 'now', but 此刻 is more literary and emphasizes the exact present moment.

此时

cǐ shí

now

Close synonym meaning 'at this moment', equally formal.

Usage notes

Common mistakes

Do not use 此刻 in negative sentences to mean 'not yet'—use 现在 instead, as in 我现在不去 (not 我此刻不去).

Formality

此刻 is formal and literary, often used in written Chinese, speeches, or poetic contexts. In casual speech, 现在 is preferred.

Example Sentences

1 shown

此刻，我正在学习汉语。

At this moment, I am studying Chinese.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 此刻

此时此刻

cǐ shí cǐ kè

at this very moment

Child Words of 此刻

quarter (hour)

this; these

此刻