This article will give you all of the knowledge you need on the Japanese word ima, including its Japanese definition and translation, example sentences, related expressions and more!
Contents
What does ima mean?
The Japanese word ima (今、いま) means now or right now. It can also translate as just now when referring to something that has just happened.
Below, we take a look at some examples of how to use ima in Japanese.
Ima = Now
To make it easier for you, I have written each sentence in full Japanese kanji on the first line, followed by roman letters (romaji), and hiragana, with the English meaning coming last.
今は大学生です。
Ima wa daigakusei desu.
いまはだいがくせいです。
Now I am a university student.
今、春なので花は綺麗です。
Ima, haru nano de hana wa kirei desu.
いま、はるなのではなはきれいです。
The flowers are beautiful because it’s spring now.
今、何時ですか?
Ima, nanji desu ka?
いま、なんじですか？
What time is it now?
ええと、今何してるの？
Eto, ima nani shiteru no?
ええと、いまなにしてるの？
Erm, what are you doing right now?
今、電気がない状態です。
Ima, denki ga nai jyoutai desu.
いま、でんきがないじょうたいです。
There is no power right now.
Ima: Can also mean just now
Ima can also be used to mean just now (i.e., something that just happened). This resembles how the word sakki (さっき) is used – practically speaking, there’s little difference between the two.
今の人は誰？
Ima no hito wa dare?
いまのひとはだれ？
Who was that just now?
今の風は強かったですね！
Ima no kaze wa tsuyokatta desu ne!
いまのかぜはつよかったですね！
It was really windy just now, wasn’t it!
Ima kara: From now (on)
Ima kara is a useful phrase that means from now or from now on. Sometimes this may simply translate as now in English, but ima kara refers to something happening from now and into the near future. You will hear this phrase often in Japanese conversations so it’s worth remembering!
今からちゃんと勉強する！
Ima kara chanto benkyou suru!
いまからちゃんとべんきょうする！
I will study properly from now on!
今から花火大会に行きます。
Ima kara hanabi taikai ni ikimasu.
いまからはなびたいかいにいきます。
We are going to the fireworks display now.
Rohan's favorite resource for learning Japanese is JapanesePod101, one of the best tools for getting started with the language. Sign up for a free lifetime account here.
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