现 (xiàn) means "now, present" with HSK 1 on the new exam.
Pronunciation
Meaning
Primary: now
Other meanings:
- present
Etymology
Oracle-bone origin
现 is a relatively late phono-semantic compound and has no oracle-bone antecedent in this form. The left side 王 is the jade radical, and 见 (to see) on the right gives both meaning and sound, so the character originally referred to jade's lustre becoming visible when polished.
Form evolution
The traditional form 現 appears in seal and clerical script with 玉 on the left and 見 on the right. The simplified 现 used in mainland China reduces 見 to 见 by straightening the bottom two strokes into a hook; the jade radical on the left was already written 王 in compound position.
How the meaning evolved
From the original sense of jade becoming visible when rubbed, the meaning extended to anything appearing, showing itself, or being manifest. It then narrowed in modern usage to mean present or current in time, as in 现在 (now) and 现代 (modern era).
Cultural note
The older sense survives in 出现 (to appear) and 发现 (to discover), both of which preserve the idea of something coming into view. Learners should note that 现 pairs with 在 for 'now' but with 代 for 'modern era', and these are not interchangeable.
Basic info
Example sentences
Words containing 现
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | HSK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 现 | xiàn | now, present | |
| 现在 | xiànzài | now | HSK 1 |
| 出现 | chūxiàn | to appear | HSK 4 |
| 发现 | fāxiàn | to discover | HSK 3 |
| 现金 | xiànjīn | cash | HSK 4 |
| 表现 | biǎoxiàn | performance | HSK 4 |
| 现象 | xiànxiàng | phenomenon | HSK 5 |
| 实现 | shíxiàn | Realization | HSK 5 |
| 体现 | tǐxiàn | Reflect | HSK 5 |
| 现代 | xiàndài | modern | HSK 5 |
| 现实 | xiànshí | reality | HSK 5 |
| 呈现 | chéngxiàn | to appear, to emerge | HSK 6 |
| 兑现 | duìxiàn | to cash, to honor (a check) | HSK 7-9 |
On the new HSK 1 exam
Studying for HSK 1? Keep 现 with the rest of your level.
HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.
Frequently Asked Questions
Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.