teraz vs obecnie
Polish word comparison
Listen to teraz
Listen to obecnie
| teraz | obecnie |
|---|---|
TE-raz adverb | oh-BET-nyeh adverb |
| now; at the present moment | currently; at the present time (refers to a current state or period) |
How they differ
Obecnie usually refers to a current period or ongoing state rather than the single immediate moment; it is more common in written or formal contexts and less for quick spoken exclamations that emphasize immediacy.
When to use each
When to use teraz: Prefer teraz when you want to stress the immediate, exact moment (spoken or brief statements).
When to use obecnie: Prefer obecnie when describing ongoing situations, trends or states, especially in formal writing or reports.
Side-by-side examples
- Teraz mieszkam w Warszawie.
(I live in Warsaw now.) - Obecnie mieszkam w Warszawie.
(I am currently living in Warsaw.)
Register & nuance: Obecnie is more formal and typical in written or neutral spoken Polish; it sounds more academic or official than teraz.