Breakdown of Zurzeit ist die Bibliothek überfüllt.
sein
to be
die Bibliothek
the library
zurzeit
currently
überfüllt
crowded
Questions & Answers about Zurzeit ist die Bibliothek überfüllt.
What does zurzeit mean compared to other ways to say currently like im Moment, gerade, momentan, derzeit, and jetzt?
- zurzeit: at present/these days; an ongoing period; neutral register.
- im Moment: at the moment; very common and conversational.
- gerade: right now/this very moment; very immediate.
- momentan: similar to zurzeit; slightly casual.
- derzeit: more formal/written.
- jetzt: now (a point in time); can sound too instantaneous for a general, ongoing state.
Should it be zurzeit or zur Zeit? Are they both correct?
- One word: zurzeit = currently (what you want here).
- Two words: zur Zeit = at the time (of), usually with a specification: Zur Zeit der Prüfungen …, Zur Zeit Goethes ….
Most style guides recommend one word for the meaning “currently.”
Why is the verb before the subject: Zurzeit ist die Bibliothek …?
German has a verb‑second rule. If something other than the subject starts the sentence (here, Zurzeit), the finite verb (ist) must be in second position, and the subject (die Bibliothek) follows.
Can I also say Die Bibliothek ist zurzeit überfüllt? Does the order change the meaning?