zurzeitmeaning

Zurzeit is a German adverb meaning currently or at the moment. It is used to indicate the present time frame in relation to the speaker or the surrounding context. For example: “Zurzeit habe ich viel zu tun” or “Die Ausstellung läuft zurzeit noch.” It can modify verbs or entire clauses and is common in both spoken and written German.

Orthography and usage notes: Since the German orthography reform, the preferred spelling is zurzeit as a single word. A two-word variant, zur Zeit, exists in older texts and in some style guides, but one-word spelling is dominant in contemporary usage. The form choice can affect formality or typographic style, but both convey the same meaning.

Etymology: The term derives from the phrase zu der Zeit, meaning “at that time.” Over time this unitized into the compound zurzeit, retaining its sense of the present moment or current period.

Synonyms and nuance: Similar expressions include derzeit, aktuell, momentan, and gegenwärtig. While all convey presentness, derzeit and momentan are often interchangeable, with aktuell emphasizing topical relevance and gegenwärtig a slightly more formal tone. Zurzeit frequently stresses the duration of the present period relative to the discussion.

Usage guidance: Choose zurzeit for neutral, everyday reference to the current period. For more formal or literary contexts, derzeit or gegenwärtig may be preferred.