Meaning and Usage
"現行" (げんこう) refers to something that is currently in effect, in operation, or existing at present. It is often used in formal contexts such as legal, administrative, or technical fields.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see "現行" used with laws (現行の法律), systems (現行のシステム), or rules to indicate the current version or status. It can also appear in the phrase "現行犯" meaning "caught in the act" or "caught red-handed," which is a legal term.
Collocations and Patterns
- 現行の法律: current law, used when discussing laws that are presently enforced.
- 現行のシステム: current system, often in IT or organizational contexts.
- 現行犯: caught in the act, a fixed legal phrase.
Register and Nuance
"現行" is a formal word, commonly found in written language, official documents, and news reports. It is less common in casual conversation.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "現行" with "現在" (げんざい), which means "now" or "currently" but is more general and temporal. "現行" emphasizes the status or operation of something, not just the time.