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)
Related words
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.
Quick Access
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Sentences
How to Write in Japanese - (今) ima
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (今) ima:
Example Sentences - (今) ima
See below some example sentences:
Kyou wa nan'youbi desu ka?
What day of the week is it today?
What Day is Today?
- 今日 (kyou) - today
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 何 (nani) - what
- 曜日 (youbi) - Dia da semana
- です (desu) - Verb to be
- か (ka) - interrogative particle
Kyou wa kaisei desu
Today is sunny.
It's sunny today.
- 今日 - today
- は - Topic particle
- 快晴 - sunny weather
- です - Verb to be/estar in the present
Kyou wa tenki ga areru kamoshiremasen
Today it may be that time becomes stormy.
Time may be difficult today.
- 今日 - today
- は - Topic particle
- 天気 - time weather
- が - subject particle
- 荒れる - become agitated/turbulent
- かもしれません - maybe/possibly
Kyou wa ensoku ni ikimasu
Today we go to an excursion.
I'm going to an excursion today.
- 今日 - today
- は - Topic particle
- 遠足 - excursion
- に - target particle
- 行きます - Go
Kyou wa kumori desu
Today is cloudy.
It's cloudy today.
- 今日 - today
- は - Topic particle
- 曇り - cloudy
- です - Verb to be/estar in the present
Kyou no tenki wa hare desu
Today's time is sunny.
Time is sunny today.
- 今日の - of today
- 天気 - "tempo/clima"
- は - Topic particle
- 晴れ - "ensolarado"
- です - verb "to be/estar" in the present tense
Kyou wa shukkinbi desu
Today is the day to go to work.
Today is Labor Day.
- 今日 - today
- は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
- 出勤 - go to work, go to work
- 日 - day
- です - Verb to be/estar in the present
Kyou no shiai wa totemo hageshikatta
Today's match was very intense.
- 今日の - of today
- 試合 - "game"
- は - Topic particle
- とても - "very"
- 激しかった - "intense"
Kyou no jugyou wa kyuukou desu
Today's class is closed.
- 今日の - of today
- 授業 - "class"
- は - Topic particle
- 休講 - "canceled"
- です - verb "to be/estar" in the present tense
Kyou no kaigi de watashi wa happyou wo suru yotei desu
I intend to give a presentation at today's meeting.
- 今日の会議で - In today's meeting
- 私は - I
- 発表をする - Make a presentation
- 予定です - Planned