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March 24, 2026
此刻()cǐkè(ci3ke4)
此刻 refers to the present moment or now. It is often used in both formal and informal contexts to emphasize immediacy and the current time, conveying a sense of urgency or significance in a situation.
Frequency#4101DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'this moment' is often tied to mindfulness and awareness. Phrases that emphasize present experiences are common in literature and philosophy, reflecting the cultural value placed on living in the moment.
Memory Tip
Think of 此刻 as 'this' (此) and 'moment' (刻). Imagine standing at a specific moment in time, looking around and saying, 'This is the moment!' The 'ci' sounds like 'see' and 'ke' sounds like 'cut'—as if you are cutting out this moment from time.
Meanings of 此刻
cǐkè(ci3ke4)
1this moment
2now
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About 此刻
此刻Simplified
Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 此刻
Podcast: 此刻
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AI Study Notes for 此刻
Quick Contrast
现在 (xiànzài) - use 此刻 to emphasize a more urgent or significant present moment compared to the more neutral 现在.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 此刻 as 'this' (此) and 'moment' (刻). Imagine standing at a specific moment in time, looking around and saying, 'This is the moment!' The 'ci' sounds like 'see' and 'ke' sounds like 'cut'—as if you are cutting out this moment from time.
Usage Notes
Be cautious of using 此刻 in overly casual contexts, as it can sound a bit formal. Common collocations include 此刻的感觉 (the feeling at this moment) or 此刻的选择 (the choice at this moment). Students often confuse it with 现在 (xiànzài), which is more general for 'now.'
HSK Study Tips
While 此刻 is not a listed word in HSK levels, it is beneficial for learners at HSK 4 and above to understand its usage. Focus on using it in sentences that express urgency or importance, as this will help you convey subtleties in conversations.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'this moment' is often tied to mindfulness and awareness. Phrases that emphasize present experiences are common in literature and philosophy, reflecting the cultural value placed on living in the moment.
Common Mistakes
Learners often incorrectly use 此刻 in casual conversations where 现在 would be more appropriate. For example, saying '此刻我们去吃饭' (At this moment, let's go eat) sounds overly formal; instead, use '现在我们去吃饭.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 此刻
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In Chinese culture, the concept of 'this moment' is often tied to mindfulness and awareness. Phrases that emphasize present experiences are common in literature and philosophy, reflecting the cultural value placed on living in the moment.
📜Proverb
‘此刻’常常与‘珍惜当下’这一思想相联系，强调生活的每一瞬间都值得珍惜。
Frequently Asked Questions about 此刻
此刻 is generally used in both formal and informal contexts. However, it may be more prevalent in written language or formal speech, such as in literature or news reports, to convey a sense of immediacy.
此刻 (cǐ kè) translates to 'this moment' in English. It is often used to refer to the present time or a specific point in time. You can use it in sentences to emphasize immediacy or significance.
You can use 此刻 in a sentence to highlight the current time or situation, such as '此刻我正在学习中文' (At this moment, I am studying Chinese). It helps convey the urgency or importance of the present moment in conversation.
Not exactly; while both mean 'now,' 此刻 is more specific to the current moment and can carry more emotional weight.
它可以在口语和书面语中使用，但在正式场合更为常见。
You might say, '此刻，我感到非常高兴' (At this moment, I feel very happy).
