Meaning
眼下 literally means 'under the eyes' but is used idiomatically to mean 'at the present moment' or 'currently.' It emphasizes the immediate present situation and what is happening right now. It can also literally refer to the area under someone's eyes (like the skin beneath the eyes), though this usage is less common.
Usage
Most commonly used as a time adverb meaning 'right now' or 'at present,' often at the beginning of sentences to set temporal context. It's more formal and literary than 现在, making it suitable for written Chinese, news reports, and formal speech. When discussing current situations or immediate priorities, 眼下 adds a sense of urgency or immediacy.
Examples
- 01眼下最重要的是找到工作。.The most important thing right now is to find a job.
- 02眼下这个问题还没有解决方案。.At present, there is still no solution to this problem.
Characters
Common collocations
- 眼下的情况the current situation
- 眼下最重要的the most important thing right now
- 眼下来看looking at the present situation
Antonyms
Origin
Derives from the literal meaning 'under the eyes,' extending metaphorically to mean 'what is directly in front of one' or 'the immediate present situation that one can see.'