現
present, existing, actual
Readings
On'yomi
- ゲン
Kun'yomi
- あらわ.れる
- あらわ.す
- うつつ
- うつ.つ
Nanori
- あきら
- きら
Meaning
現 centers on something becoming visible or real in the present moment: appearing, existing in actuality, or being manifest now.
Most common words using 現
24 of 486- 現在げんざいN3
the present; present time; now
- 表現ひょうげんN3
expression; representation; description
- 現実げんじつN3
reality; actuality; hard fact
- 現場げんばN3
actual spot; scene (of a crime, accident, etc.)
- 現代げんだいN3
present age; present day; today
- 実現じつげんN3
implementation (e.g. of a system); materialization; materialisation; realization; realisation; actualization; actualisation
- 現れあらわれN3
embodiment; manifestation; materialization; materialisation; expression; indication
- 現地げんちN2
actual place; actual location; the spot; the scene; the field; (on) site
- 現状げんじょうN3
present condition; existing state; status quo; current state
- 現象げんしょうN2
phenomenon
- 再現さいげんN1
reappearance; reemergence; return; revival
- 出現しゅつげんN1
appearance; emergence; advent; arrival; showing up; coming to existence
- 現金げんきんN4
cash; ready money; money on hand; currency
- 現役げんえきN1
active duty; active service
- 現れるあらわれるN3
to appear; to come in sight; to become visible; to come out; to embody; to materialize; to materialise
- 現行げんこうN1
present; current; in operation
- 現時点げんじてんN2
present point (i.e. in history); at the present time
- 現職げんしょく
present post; current office; (an) incumbent
- 現物げんぶつ
actual article or goods
- 現にげんにN2
actually; really
- 現像げんぞうN1
development (of film); photographic processing
- 現況げんきょう
present condition
- 現住所げんじゅうしょN1
(present) address
- 現有げんゆう
present; existing
Study
Etymology
現 combines 王 (jewel) with 見 (see), suggesting a jewel becoming visible or appearing. The modern meaning extends this to anything present or actual.
Meaning mnemonic
A jewel 王 becomes visible when you see 見 it: what appears is present and actual.
Reading mnemonic
For ゲン, imagine a genie appearing from a jewel: genie -> ゲン, and the genie becomes present and real.