Japanese dictionary
How to say "now" in Japanese
今いま · ima
"Now" in Japanese is 今 (ima). In formal speech and announcements, 現在 (genzai) or ただいま (tadaima) is used.
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Ways to say "now" in Japanese
| Japanese | When to use it |
|---|---|
| 今いま · ima | Now. |
| ただいまただいま · tadaima | Right now (polite; also "I'm home"). |
| 現在げんざい · genzai | Currently; at present (formal). |
| すぐすぐ · sugu | Right away. |
How to use it
"Right now" is 今すぐ (ima sugu).
ただいま also means "I'm home."
Example sentences
- 今、何時ですか。Ima, nanji desu ka.What time is it now?
- 今、電話中です。Ima, denwachū desu.I'm on the phone now.
- ただいま担当者が席を外しております。Tadaima tantōsha ga seki o hazushite orimasu.The person in charge is away from their desk right now.
- 現在、工事中です。Genzai, kōjichū desu.It's currently under construction.
- 今すぐ行きます。Ima sugu ikimasu.I'm coming right now.
- 今は東京に住んでいます。Ima wa Tōkyō ni sunde imasu.I live in Tokyo now.
Kanji in this word
Questions
What does 席を外しております mean?
It means "is away from their desk." Receptionists use it when the person you called is not available.
Does ただいま mean "I'm home" or "right now"?
Both. At home, ただいま means "I'm home." In business speech, it means "right now," as in ただいま参ります.
Using Japanese at work?
See Executive JapaneseExecutive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.