此刻

cǐ kè

HSK 3.0 Level 6 Noun Common

Definitions

1. this moment
2. now
3. at present

Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

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

Register variants

1 item

• 当下 dāng xià 当下 dāng xià immediately 当下 is a slightly more colloquial or modern register variant also meaning 'at the present moment'.: immediately

Synonyms

2 items

• 现在 xiàn zài 现在 xiàn zài now Both mean 'now', but 此刻 is more literary and emphasizes the exact present moment.: now
• 此时 cǐ shí 此时 cǐ shí now Close synonym meaning 'at this moment', equally formal.: now

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 此时此刻 cǐ shí cǐ kè: at this very moment

Child Words of 此刻

• 刻 刻 kè: quarter (hour)
• 此 此 cǐ: this; these