teraz vs obecnie
Polish word comparison
Listen to teraz
Listen to obecnie
| teraz | obecnie |
|---|---|
/TE-raz/ adverb | /[ɔˈbɛt͡ɕnʲɛ] (oh-BETCH-nye)/ adverb |
| now; at this moment | currently; at present (referring to the present period or state) |
How they differ
Obecnie usually refers to the current situation over a span of time rather than a single instant; it is more formal and often used in written or analytical contexts, while teraz points to the immediate moment or is used in everyday speech and sequencing (e.g., 'now do X').
When to use each
When to use teraz: Prefer teraz when you mean the immediate present moment or in casual spoken instructions (e.g., 'Now do this').
When to use obecnie: Prefer obecnie when describing the present state or trend, especially in formal writing or reports.
Side-by-side examples
- Teraz nie mogę rozmawiać.
(I can't talk now.) - Obecnie pracuję nad nowym projektem.
(I am currently working on a new project.)
Register & nuance: Obecnie is more formal and typical of written or official language; teraz is neutral and common in spoken Polish.