现在 from HSK Level 1 Vocabulary List

The Chinese word 现在 (xiànzài) means "now" or "at present". It is composed of two characters: 现 (xiàn), which means "to appear" or "to show", and 在 (zài), which means "to be" or "to exist". Together, these two characters convey the idea of something that is happening or existing at the present moment.The character 现 (xiàn) is derived from the oracle bone script, which is the earliest known form of Chinese writing. In the oracle bone script, the character 现 is depicted as a person standing in front of a table, with his hands raised in the air. This image is thought to represent the act of presenting or showing something.The character 在 (zài) is also derived from the oracle bone script. In the oracle bone script, the character 在 is depicted as a person sitting on a mat. This image is thought to represent the idea of being or existing.The combination of the characters 现 (xiàn) and 在 (zài) to form the word 现在 (xiànzài) is first attested in the Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD). The word 现在 was originally used to refer to the present moment, but over time it has come to be used more broadly to refer to any time within the recent past or future.In modern Chinese, the word 现在 is used in a variety of contexts. It can be used to refer to the present moment, to the recent past, or to the near future. It can also be used to introduce a new topic or to emphasize a point.