Meaning
如今 means 'nowadays' or 'at present' and is used to refer to the current time period, often with an implicit contrast to the past. It carries a slightly formal or literary tone compared to the more casual 现在 (xiànzài). The word emphasizes the contemporary state of affairs.
Usage
如今 is commonly used in written language, news reports, and formal speech to mark a contrast between past and present conditions. Native speakers often use it when reflecting on changes over time, such as 'In the past... but nowadays...'. It appears frequently at the beginning of sentences or clauses.
Examples
- 01如今科技发展得非常快。.Nowadays technology is developing very rapidly.
- 02他过去很穷，但如今已经很富有了。, .He was poor in the past, but nowadays he's already very wealthy.
Characters
Common collocations
- 如今社会today's society
- 如今的today's, current
- 到如今up until now
Antonyms
Origin
如今 literally means 'as now' or 'like today', combining 如 (as/like) with 今 (present/today). It has been used in Chinese literature for centuries as a time marker emphasizing the present moment.