目もっ下か

も

っ

か

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

Slightly formal or written-style word for 'now' or 'at the present time'. Often used in news, business, or official contexts.

目もっ下かの

ところ

、

問もん

題だい

は

あり

ませ

ん

。

At present, there are no problems.

目もっ下か、準じゅん備びを進すすめております。

We are currently making preparations.

Usage patterns

目もっ下か〈事こと〉中ちゅうcurrently in the process of doing 〈事〉
この問もん題だいについては目もっ下か調ちょう査さ中ちゅうです。
This issue is currently under investigation.
目もっ下かのところfor the time being; at present
目もっ下かのところ、大おおきな問もん題だいは発はっ生せいしていない。
At present, no major problems have occurred.

Kanji

目eye, class, look
下below, down, descend

Related words

現げん在ざいN3
現在 is the common, neutral word for 'now' or 'the present', while 目下 is a more formal, written-style equivalent often seen in news or business contexts.
今いまN5
今 is the everyday, all-purpose word for 'now', whereas 目下 is stiffer and typically confined to formal writing.
ただいまN5
ただいま is a polite spoken word for 'right now', while 目下 is a formal written term with a slightly less immediate feel.
当とう面めん
目下 is a formal written term meaning 'at present, currently,' overlapping with 当面 but focusing on the current moment rather than 当面's sense of 'until the near future changes.'
現げん時じ点てんN2
目下 is a formal, slightly literary word for 'at present' often used in official writing, close in register to 現時点.

Don't confuse with

目め下したN2
目下 read もっか means 'at present', but the same spelling read めした instead means 'one's subordinate or junior'.
目もく前ぜんN1
目下 (もっか) means 'at present, currently' and shares the 目 kanji with 目前, but it refers to the current state of affairs, not physical or temporal imminence.

Written forms

目もっ下かUsage87%
Standard kanji spelling for 'at present' or 'now'.
もっかUsage13%
Kana spelling is common in informal writing or when avoiding the homograph 目下 (めした, 'subordinate').

Etymology

Compound of 目 (eye, current) and 下 (under, below), literally 'under one's eyes', referring to the present moment. The reading もっか is a sound change from もくか.