How to Say ‘Now’ in Japanese
今
ima
[ee-mah]
💬 Usage Tip: [今] = now. Often used to promise immediate action: [今、下げます] “I’ll lower it now.”
🇯🇵 In Japan: Showing quick action (even small) is appreciated—“now” signals sincerity.
Phrase Breakdown
今
ima
[ee-mah]
now; right now; the present
Used to point to the current moment in time. In neighbor-noise situations, it can soften or clarify timing (e.g., “right now it’s a bit loud”).
今、音を少し小さくしていただけますか。
Right now, could you turn the sound down a little?
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