The Chinese word "目前" is formed by combining the character "目", which means "eye" or "sight", with "前", meaning "front" or "before". Literally, it translates to "in front of the eyes", creating a vivid metaphorical image that conveys what is immediately visible or directly in one's line of vision. This figurative sense evolved to represent the concept of "at present" or "currently", as it refers to the time or situation that is right before one's eyes, emphasizing immediacy and current relevance.