目下|もっかmokka[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. noun, adverbat present; now
   船ふねは改装かいそうのため目下もっかドック入いりしている。↗

   The ship is now in dock for a refit.

• Synonym現在げんざいNeutralThe most common word for 'now'; it works as a noun or after a time expression, as in 「〜現在」. 「目下」 is more written and news-flavored.
• Synonym今いまNeutralThe most basic colloquial word for 'now, at this moment'. 「目下」 appears mostly in news reports and official documents.
• Synonym現時点げんじてんWritten'As of this point in time'; the common phrase 「現時点では」 stresses that a conclusion may still change. Written style.
• Synonym現下げんかWrittenMeans 'at present', typically in the set phrase 「現下の情勢」. Stiffer than 「目下」 and rarely seen today.
• Synonym今時こんじNeutral'These days', often with an exclamatory or critical tone, as in 「今時の若者」; strongly colloquial in flavor.
• Synonym刻下こっかWritten'This very moment'; extremely literary and almost never used today — say 「今」 or 「現在」 in daily life.
• Synonym方今ほうこんWritten'Nowadays' with a strong classical flavor; rarely used today and found mostly in older writings.
• Synonym現今げんこんWrittenA written word for 'the present day'; it speaks of the era or the spirit of the times, not of something in progress as 「目下」 does.
• Synonym当今とうこんWrittenWritten 'nowadays'; it can also refer to the reigning emperor. Rare today — say 「現在」 in everyday Japanese.
• Synonym即今そっこんWritten'At the moment'; an extremely rare Sino-Japanese word — say 「今」 or 「現在」 instead.
• Related今時いまどきNeutral'These days', often with an exclamatory or critical tone, as in 「今時の若者」; strongly colloquial in flavor.
• Related今日この頃きょうこのごろNeutral'These past days'; used in letters and in musing phrases like 「〜と思う今日この頃」, but not in official documents.
• Related近頃ちかごろNeutral'Lately', covering a recent stretch of time; slightly old-fashioned. 「目下」 refers to this very moment.
• Related最近さいきんNeutral'Recently', including the days just past; the most common everyday choice. Differs from 「目下」, which points to this very moment.
• Related昨今さっこんWrittenWritten 'lately' for a period of time; often in commentary on social conditions, as in 「昨今の情勢」.
• Related当座とうざNeutral'For the time being', stressing a temporary, transitional period, as in 「当座の生活費」; it does not stress that something is under way right now.
• Relatedこの頃このごろNeutralEveryday word for 'these days', describing a state that has continued for a while; very common in speech.

In everyday speech, 'now' is 「今」 or 「現在」; 「目下」 is the written, news-like way to say 'currently', as in 「目下検討中」「目下の課題」. For 'recently' use 「最近」 or 「この頃」. Extremely literary or dated words like 「刻下」「方今」 and 「即今」 are best avoided.

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

1. 現在げんざい、只今ただいま。