current
Definitions
Belonging to the present time; happening now
当前的，现在的
A continuous flow of water or air in a particular direction
（水或气的）流，涌流
A flow of electric charge
电流
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedcurr (run, flow) + -ent (adj.) = 'running, flowing.' What is flowing right now is the present moment (current affairs); the flow itself is an ocean or electric current. curr is the currere ('run/flow') side of car.
Root car still carries 96 more wordsWhy It Means This
One image holds all the meanings together: something running. Time that is 'running now' is current (the current year). Water running in a channel is a current. Electricity running through a wire is a current. The link feels invisible in English, but the Latin currere ('to run') was always literally about flow.
Common Collocations
- 1.ocean current洋流
- 2.electric current电流
- 3.current situation当前情况
- 4.current events时事
Example Sentences
- 1.
Swimmers were warned about the strong current.
- 2.
A sudden surge in current damaged the device.
- 3.
What is the current situation in the region?
- 4.
She keeps up with current events by reading the news.
Easily Confused
current vs currant — identical sound, totally different: a currant is a small dried grape (in scones and cakes). And current (now) vs present (now, but also 'in attendance' or 'a gift'). Use current for the time period that is running.