Meanings of 至今
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Podcast: 至今
Podcast: 至今
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AI Study Notes for 至今
至今 (zhìjīn) vs 直到 (zhídào) — use 至今 for emphasis on ongoing relevance from the past, while 直到 focuses on a specific endpoint.
Be cautious about using 至今 in formal contexts, as it may sound slightly informal. It is often paired with time-related phrases, such as '至今没有' (until now, there hasn't been...). Avoid confusing it with similar terms like '从来' (cóng lái), which suggests a more absolute past.
As an HSK Level 5 word, 至今 connects well with other temporal expressions like 以前 (yǐ qián, 'before') and 现在 (xiàn zài, 'now'). Students should focus on using it in sentences that describe experiences or ongoing situations to reinforce its meaning.
Learners often confuse 至今 with 目前 (mù qián, 'currently'), leading to sentences like '我目前还没完成' (wǒ mù qián hái méi wán chéng) when they mean to express something ongoing from the past. The correct phrase would be '我至今还没完成' (wǒ zhì jīn hái méi wán chéng).
Pronunciation of 至今
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Component Characters
How to say so far in Chinese
“so far” in Chinese is至今
至今 (zhì jīn) means 'until now' or 'to this day', referring to a point in time that extends from the past to the present. It is commonly used to describe ongoing situations or events that have not changed over time, often indicating a sense of continuity or relevance.
When to use 至今
Be cautious about using 至今 in formal contexts, as it may sound slightly informal. It is often paired with time-related phrases, such as '至今没有' (until now, there hasn't been...). Avoid confusing it with similar terms like '从来' (cóng lái), which suggests a more absolute past.
至今 or something close to it
至今 (zhìjīn) vs 直到 (zhídào) — use 至今 for emphasis on ongoing relevance from the past, while 直到 focuses on a specific endpoint.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 至今 with 目前 (mù qián, 'currently'), leading to sentences like '我目前还没完成' (wǒ mù qián hái méi wán chéng) when they mean to express something ongoing from the past. The correct phrase would be '我至今还没完成' (wǒ zhì jīn hái méi wán chéng).
Write 至今
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Practice writing 至今 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 至今
至今 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
他____还未和我联系。
He still has not contacted me to this day.
Example Sentences for 至今 (3)
Frequently Asked Questions about 至今
Yes, 至今 is appropriate in both spoken and written contexts, though it may be more common in informal conversation.
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