现在 (xiànzài) - 正在 (zhèngzài)

Examples for > 正在 (zhèngzài) and 现在 (xiànzài)

“正在” (zhèngzài) and “现在” (xiànzài) are both related to time, but they are used in different contexts and have different meanings:

1. 正在 (zhèngzài)

• This word is used to indicate that an action is currently in progress. It's often used with verbs to show that something is happening right now.
• Example: **他正在看书。** (Tā zhèngzài kàn shū.) - He is reading a book.

2. 现在 (xiànzài)
This word means “now” or “currently” and is used to indicate the present time. It can be used with or without verbs.

• Example: **现在是两点。** (Xiànzài shì liǎng diǎn.) - It is two o'clock now.
• Example: **我现在在家。** (Wǒ xiànzài zài jiā.) - I am at home now.

In summary:
正在 focuses on the ongoing action (something is happening right now).
现在 focuses on the current time (indicating the present moment).

现在与正在的用法故事​

​ 周末，小明正在家里打扫卫生。这时，电话铃响了。小明赶忙跑去接电话，电话那头传来朋友的声音：“小明，你现在有空吗？我们一起去踢球吧。”

小明回答道：“我现在没办法出去，我正在打扫房间呢。房间太乱了，现在不收拾，等会儿会更麻烦。”

朋友又问：“那你什么时候能忙完呀？” 小明说：“我也不确定，现在垃圾还没倒，地也没拖完。我正在努力快点做完，等我忙完了给你打电话。”

挂了电话，小明继续认真打扫。现在他知道，要先完成手上正在做的事，才能愉快地去玩耍。通过这件事，小明也更好地理解了 “现在” 表示当下的时间点，而 “正在” 强调动作此时此刻正在进行 。