What's the difference between 目前 and 现在?

Both 目前 (mù qián) and 现在 (xiàn zài) can be translated to "now" in English, but there are subtle differences between the two terms.

"目前" usually refers to the current situation or status of something. It implies a sense of continuity and progression, and is often used to describe a temporary or transitional state. For example:

目前的市场情况不太好。 (Mùqián de shìchǎng qíngkuàng bù tài hǎo.) - The current market situation is not very good.

On the other hand, "现在" simply means "now" or "at present". It refers to a specific point in time, and is often used to describe a current action or state. For example:

我现在在家。 (Wǒ xiànzài zài jiā.) - I am at home now.
你现在有空吗？ (Nǐ xiànzài yǒu kòng ma?) - Are you free now?

Moreover, "目前" tends to have a more formal and objective tone, while "现在" is more colloquial and informal.

目前 is what you are currently talking about, what is before you.
现在 means right now at this moment

目前 --till now
现在---now

目前 (mù qián) and 现在 (xiàn zài) both are Chinese words that are often used to express the current time or current situation, but they have slightly different meanings and usages.

目前 (mù qián) is typically used to refer to the current situation or status quo of a particular situation or event. It usually implies that the situation is temporary, and may change in the future. For example, you could say "目前，我们还没有找到解决这个问题的方法" (mù qián, wǒ men hái méi yǒu zhǎo dào jiě jué zhè gè wèn tí de fāng fǎ) which means "Currently, we haven't found a solution to this problem yet".

现在 (xiàn zài), on the other hand, refers to the current moment in time and is used to describe what is happening right now. It can be used to describe both short and long-term situations. For example, you could say "现在是上午十点钟" (xiàn zài shì shàng wǔ shí diǎn zhōng) which means "It is currently 10:00 in the morning".

In summary, 目前 (mù qián) refers to the current state of a particular situation, while 现在 (xiàn zài) refers to the current moment in time.

现在”是指这个时候、说话的时候，包括说话前后或长或短的一段时间
“目前”是目+前，因此有眼前、到现在为止的意思。

目前 and 现在 both means now
目前 is currently presently but could indicate whatever the situation is currently may change. (used like so far)
现在 is more simple. (right now)

both 目前 ana 现在 have the meaning of "now"
1. 目前 means "so far", it is more used to express a period of time till now;
2. 现在 can also means above meaning, moreover, it is usually means "at this moment", "right now"

目前 currently
现在 now