目前
目view前in front=currently or at present
目前 is a fixed time word.
目
目 (mù) Chinese Character: eye
An almond eye with a pupil — that's 目!
Practice 目 in the interactive lessonChinese character story: The Seeing Eye
目 is an eye. The ancient form looks just like an almond eye with its pupil in the center. Turn it sideways and you'll see it. Eyes watch, read, cry — 目 is in every character about seeing.
🧩 Word buildingSee what every part contributes
Chinese words often combine short meaning clues. Fixed expressions are clearly marked so you do not translate them too literally.
目的
目aim的target; pronounced dì here=purpose or goal
目的 is a fixed word. Here 的 is read dì, not the usual grammar particle de.
Chinese character origin and etymology
目 is documented as a basic character form. Its earlier written forms gradually became the regular-script shape used today.
In modern simplified Chinese, 目 is written with 5 strokes. This lesson separates documented shape history from the memory story so learners do not mistake a mnemonic for a historical claim. 目 works as one complete form rather than a puzzle made from smaller modern components. Learning its overall silhouette is useful because the same shape may later appear inside more complex characters.
Chinese character stroke order and structure
目 is written with 5 strokes. Learn the complete stroke sequence in the interactive lesson, then write the character from memory before checking your answer.
- 目 — eye — an almond shape with a pupil
Common usage and sentence patterns
The examples below show 目 in complete beginner-friendly sentences. Read each sentence aloud, notice where the character appears, and then replace one noun or number to create a new sentence of your own.
她的目光很温柔。
Her gaze is gentle.
我喜欢看这个节目。
I like watching this show.
他的目标很明确。
His goal is clear.
Learning tips for 目
Learn the reading as one unit: mù, with the fourth tone: a sharp fall. Avoid memorizing the letters without the tone mark. Say the syllable, recall the English meaning “eye,” and write the 5 strokes from memory.
Because 目 is a basic form, focus on its proportions and stroke direction. Compare it with 看 (kàn, look — hand (手) over eye (目)); 眼 (yǎn, eye — eye (目) + edge (艮)); 睡 (shuì, sleep — eye (目) + fall (垂)). Similar characters are easier to remember when their different parts and meanings are studied side by side.
Quick review checklist
- Can you recognize 目 without pinyin?
- Can you say mù with the correct tone and explain “eye”?
- Can you write all 5 strokes in order?
- Can you use 目 in one short sentence?
Related characters
Continue learning Chinese characters
Use the Chinese radicals and components guide to understand reusable parts, the stroke order guide to improve handwriting, and the HSK 1 character overview to choose your next beginner lesson.
Sources and editorial note
HanziStory separates documented character history from modern memory stories. Historical-form images are shown only when a matching source file is available; missing stages are skipped rather than invented. Stroke practice uses HanziWriter data.
Last updated: August 12, 2026. Read our sources, editorial method, and correction policy.