zurzeit

Zurzeit is a German adverb meaning at the moment or currently. It refers to the present state or an ongoing situation and is used to describe actions, conditions, or events that are valid in the near present. It can modify verbs or entire clauses, for example: “Zurzeit arbeite ich an einem neuen Projekt.” “Die Lage ist zurzeit unklar.” The term conveys a time-bound sense, implying that the described condition may change in the future.

Orthography and variants: In modern German, zurzeit is commonly written as a single word. A two-word form, zur Zeit, also appears and is considered correct in some contexts or older texts. The one-word form is generally preferred in contemporary writing.

Synonyms and nuance: Closely related words include derzeit, aktuell, im Moment, and momentan. Derzeit is often slightly more formal or neutral, aktuell emphasizes current relevance or freshness, while im Moment is common in everyday speech. Zurzeit tends to be neutral and broadly applicable across registers.

Usage notes: Like other time expressions, zurzeit is relative to the speaker’s present. It does not specify how long the situation will last and can be replaced by other temporals depending on emphasis. In formal writing, mehr formale alternatives like derzeit or aktuell may be chosen to fit the style.

See also: moment, Gegenwart, Zeit, Temporaladverbien.