現役

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 現役 is read as げんえき and is a noun for remaining active in a profession, sport, or role rather than having retired or withdrawn.
• Basic usage: Use 現役の職人 for someone still practicing and 現役時代 for the period when a now-former participant was active.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Present status and past period
  • 現役の職人 describes current activity, whereas 現役時代 can refer retrospectively to a former athlete’s active career.
• Status, not age
  • The key is whether the person still performs the role, not how old or experienced that person is.