现xiàn
Character evolution
现
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Simplified · Today
繁体
Traditional Chinese
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Shuowen
Present. The character combines 玉 (jade) with 見 (to see), depicting the act of presenting jade for inspection—originally meaning "to display, to show." From this visual sense of revealing precious objects came the extended meanings of appearing, manifesting, and now denoting the current moment. The structure captures the ancient practice of displaying valuable jade for examination, from which all notions of manifestation and presence derive.
Pinyin
xiàn· HSK 1