Hi! Sometimes, "current" and "present" mean the same, sometimes not. I. As adjectives A. If you mean "now", they are interchangeable : - the present situation = the current situation B. "Present" can mean "not absent, attending" (then "current" is impossible) - he was present (= he was here) C. "Current" can mean "ongoing", but also "popular, trendy, established" (then "present" would not be used) - the current fashion trends (= the established, popular fashion trends) - the current transactions (= ongoing transactions) II. As nouns A. "The current" can mean "drift of electricity" (e.g. alternative current) or "continuous movement of the water in a certain direction" : - the current was very strong / he was swept by the current B. "Present" means "gift" : - He received lots of presents for his birthday. "Current" comes from Latin via Old French. The word in modern French is "courant" (= running, flowing). "Present" comes from Latin (prae + esse = to be before one) via Old French. In modern French "présent". Have a nice weekend !