現下|げんかgenka[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. nounthe present time
2. no-adjectivecurrent

• Synonym現在げんざいNeutralThe most general word for 'now', as in 「現在の状況」. 「現下」 is more written in flavor, typical of official documents and speeches.
• Synonym現時点げんじてんWrittenA written/formal word for the present point in time, as in 「現時点では」. It stresses the time point, while 「現下」 stresses the current situation.
• Synonym今いまWrittenRead 「こん」; a prefix that cannot stand alone, as in 「今回」「今夕」「今年度」. Means 'this (current) ...' or 'today's ...'.
• Synonym今日きょうNeutralMeans 'today', and by extension the modern age, as in 「今日の社会」; its range is broad.
• Synonym現今げんこんWrittenWritten/formal; means 'the present day' but is little used. Close to 「現下」, though it tends to speak of the temper of the times.
• Synonym当今とうこんWrittenWritten/formal; means 'nowadays' and can also refer to the reigning Emperor. Somewhat archaic and rarely used today.
• Synonym即今そっこんWrittenWritten/formal; means 'right now, at this moment' but is very rare; 「現在」 or 「目下」 is normally said instead.
• Related今日この頃きょうこのごろNeutralMeans 'these recent days' with a reflective, wistful tone; often placed at the end of a sentence, as in 「〜と思う今日この頃です」.
• Related今時いまどきNeutralColloquial; means 'these days', often with a sigh comparing now with the past, as in 「今時の若者」.
• Related近頃ちかごろNeutralColloquial and very common; means 'lately', as in 「近頃の天気」. Focuses on the recent stretch of time.
• Related最近さいきんNeutralThe most general word for 'recently'; it can cover the recent past or a period continuing up to now. 「現下」 focuses on the situation at hand.
• Related昨今さっこんWrittenWritten/formal; means 'recently', as in 「昨今の情勢」. Has a news-report flavor; close to 「現下」.
• Related当世とうせいWrittenWritten/formal; means 'the present age', as in 「当世風」. Focuses on the fashions and ways of the times.
• Related当座とうざNeutralMeans 'for the time being', as in 「当座の生活費」. Focuses on a short-term, stopgap stretch.
• Relatedこの頃このごろNeutralColloquial and common; means 'lately', as in 「この頃忙しい」. Official documents normally switch to 「最近」 or 「昨今」.
• Related今こんWrittenRead 「こん」; a prefix that cannot stand alone, as in 「今回」「今夕」「今年度」. Means 'this (current) ...' or 'today's ...'.
• Related刻下こっかWrittenWritten/formal; means 'the present moment' but is very rare; close to 「目下」.
• Related方今ほうこんWrittenWritten/formal; means 'nowadays' but is very rare and carries an archaic flavor.
• Related今日日きょうびNeutralColloquial; means 'nowadays' with a sigh about the times, as in 「今日日の物価」.
• Related時下じかWrittenWritten/formal; means 'at present'; seen in letter formulas like 「時下ますますご清栄」 and in 「時下の情勢」.
• Antonym過去かこNeutralAntonym: 'the past', the opposite of the present situation that 「現下」 refers to.
• Antonym未来みらいNeutralAntonym: 'the future', the opposite of the present situation that 「現下」 refers to.

For plain 'now', everyday Japanese uses 「現在」 or 「今（いま）」; for 'recently', 「最近」 or 「この頃」. 「現下」 is a formal, written word for the current situation, as in 「現下の情勢」, at home in official documents and speeches. In formal prose, 「現時点」 pins down the present moment, and 「昨今」 and 「時下」 cover similar written uses. 「過去」 and 「未来」 are the past and future.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. ただ今いま。目下めした。現在げんざい。