Translation and Meaning of: 今 - ima

If you are studying Japanese, you have certainly come across the word 今[いま] — a simple term, but full of nuances. In this article, we will explore its etymology, everyday usage, and even tips for memorizing this kanji without hassle. Besides the basic meaning ("now"), we will see how the Japanese apply this word in everyday expressions and why it is so prevalent in the language. And if you use Anki or another spaced repetition method, get ready to jot down practical examples that will boost your studies!

The origin and the pictogram of 今

The kanji 今 has an interesting visual history: its ancient design represented a lid pressing something down, symbolizing the idea of "present moment." Over time, the writing evolved into its current form but retained the notion of something that is happening at this very moment. In the composition of other terms, such as 今日[きょう] (today) or 今月[こんげつ] (this month), it always reinforces the idea of immediate temporality.

One curiosity is that, although いま is the most common reading, in combinations with other kanjis it can sound completely different — like in 今晩[こんばん] (tonight). This is one of those cases where memorizing it in isolation is not enough: it's necessary to see the word in context to get the hang of it.

Use in everyday life and popular expressions

The Japanese use 今 with a naturalness that goes beyond the basics. Phrases like 今どこ？ ("Where are you now?") are common in messages, while 今やってる ("I'm doing it now") appears in informal conversations. In stores, you might hear 今お持ちします ("I'll bring it right away"), showing how the term is connected to imminent action.

But be careful: in some contexts, 今 can have a slightly impatient tone. Saying 今行く ("I'm going now") sounds more urgent than a simple すぐ (soon). A friend of mine once got scolded at work for responding 今やります ("I'll do it now") while he was on his phone — in Japan, "now" means right now, not "in a little while".

Tips to memorize and avoid traps

To avoid confusing 今 with similar kanjis like 令, an infallible technique is to associate its upper stroke with a "roof" that protects the present moment. Another trick is to remember that it appears in everyday key words: from 今度[こんど] (this time) to 今朝[けさ] (this morning).

If you want to practice, try creating sentences with temporal contrasts: Yesterday was busy, but now I'm free ("昨日は忙しかったけど、今は暇"). This type of exercise reinforces both vocabulary and the concept of time — something that Japanese teachers love to test in exams. And when in doubt about usage, remember: if the situation demands urgency, 今 is your best choice.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 本日 (ほんじつ) - Today (formal)
• この日 (このひ) - This day
• きょう (きょう) - Today (informal)
• いま (いま) - now
• いまだ (いまだ) - Still (indicates continuity, not finished)
• いまのところ (いまのところ) - For now, at this moment
• いまさら (いまさら) - Now (used to indicate that it is too late for something)
• いまだに (いまだに) - Still (saying that something persists to the present)

今

Romaji: ima
Kana: いま
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: now; the present time; right now; shortly; immediately; (another.

Meaning in English: now;the present time;just now;soon;immediately;(one) more

Definition: "Ima" is a Japanese word that describes this moment or the current time.

Example Sentences - (今) ima

See below some example sentences:

今日の献立は何ですか？

Kyō no kondate wa nan desu ka?

What is today's menu?

• 今日の - today
• 献立 - menu
• は - Topic particle
• 何 - what
• ですか - é?

今日は出社しなければなりません。

Kyou wa shussha shinakereba narimasen

Today I have to go to work.

I have to go to work today.

• 今日は - "today" in Japanese
• 出社 - "going to work" in Japanese
• しなければなりません - "must do" in Japanese, indicating an obligation

今日の気温はどのくらいですか？

Kyō no kion wa dono kurai desu ka?

What is the temperature today?

What is the temperature today?

• 今日の気温 - "Today's temperature"
• は - Topic particle
• どのくらい - "how much"
• ですか - Interrogative particle

今朝は寒かったですね。

Kesa wa samukatta desu ne

It was cold this morning.

• 今朝 - this morning
• は - Topic particle
• 寒かった - it was cold
• です - verb ser/estar (polite)
• ね - confirmation particle
• . - Period

今更何を言っても遅い。

Imasara nani wo ittemo osoi

No matter what you say, it's too late.

• 今更 - now it's too late
• 何 - what
• を - object particle
• 言って - say, speak
• も - also
• 遅い - late, late

今週末に開催されるイベントに参加する予定です。

Konnshūmatsu ni kaisai sareru ibento ni sanka suru yotei desu

We plan to participate in events to be held this weekend.

• 今週末に開催される - event to be held this weekend
• イベント - event
• に - particle that indicates the target or destination of an action
• 参加する - participate
• 予定です - I plan to do

株式市場は今日も活況を呈しています。

Kabushiki shijō wa kyō mo kakkō o tei shite imasu

The stock market is still booming today.

• 株式市場 - stock market
• は - Topic particle
• 今日 - today
• も - also
• 活況 - prosperity, good performance
• を - direct object particle
• 呈しています - is demonstrating/presenting

私は今すぐ出る必要があります。

Watashi wa ima sugu deru hitsuyou ga arimasu

I need to leave right now.

I need to leave now.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 今 (ima) - adverb meaning "now"
• すぐ (sugu) - adverb meaning "immediately"
• 出る (deru) - verb meaning "to leave"
• 必要 (hitsuyou) - noun meaning "need"
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• あります (arimasu) - verb that means "to have", in this case "I have"

私は今年二十歳です。

Watashi wa kotoshi nijuu sai desu

I am 20 years old this year.

I am 20 years old this year.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 今年 (kotoshi) - noun meaning "this year"
• 二十 (hatachi) - numeral meaning "twenty"
• 歳 (sai) - suffix indicating age
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in polite form

私は今夜映画を見に行きます。

Watashi wa kon'ya eiga o mi ni ikimasu

I'm going to watch a movie tonight.

I will watch a movie tonight.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 今夜 (kon'ya) - adverb meaning "tonight"
• 映画 (eiga) - noun meaning "film"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "movie"
• 見に行きます (mi ni ikimasu) - a phrase that means "to go to watch", in this case, "I am going to watch the movie"