What does “ima” mean in Japanese?
Native speakers say “ima” to mean ‘now’ in Japanese. Probably, many Japanese learners know this word as it is often used in Japanese conversations. In this blog post, however, I will explain its definitions and meanings in detail together with example sentences. My explanations would help Japanese learners understand “ima” more clearly. Then, let’s get started!
Contents
Definitions and meanings of “ima”
Let me start with the definitions and meanings of “ima”.
- ima – 今 (いま) : an adverb meaning ‘now’, ‘currently’, or such in Japanese. This can also work as a noun to mean ‘this time’, ‘the present time’, or such in Japanese.
Japanese native speakers use this word as both an adverb and a noun. So, this word can cover a wider range than the English adverb, “now”, does.
It is also worth mentioning here that this kanji character often works as a prefix to add the meaning of ‘this’ or ‘current’. This fact would help Japanese learners understand some Japanese kanji expressions more easily and clearly.
The definitions and meanings are not that difficult, I think. Then, let me explain how to use “ima” through the example sentences below.
Example #1: how to say “now” in Japanese
ima shigoto ga owari mashi ta – 今仕事が終わりました (いましごとがおわりました)
I’ve finished work now.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- shigoto – 仕事 (しごと) : a noun meaning ‘work’ in Japanese.
- ga – が : a case particle used to make the subject word or the object word in a sentence. In the example, this is used after “shigoto” to make the subject in the sentence.
- owari – 終わり (おわり) : one conjugation of the verb, “owaru“, which means ‘to end’ in Japanese. In the example, it has been conjugated for the better connection with its following word.
- mashi – まし : one conjugation of the auxiliary verb, “masu”, which is used after a verb to make it polite. In the example, this is used after “owari” to make it sound polite.
- ta – た : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its past tense form. In the example, this is used after “mashi” to make its past tense form.
This is a typical usage of “ima”. In the example, it works as an adverb at the beginning of the sentence to say “now” in Japanese.
The original meaning of the Japanese sentence above is more like ‘the work ended now’, but it has been translated as “I’ve finished work now”. This sounds more natural in English, I think.
Example #2: another usage of “ima”
ima wa muzukashii toki desu – 今は難しい時です (いまはむずかしいときです)
Now is a difficult time.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- wa – は : a binding particle working as a case marker or topic marker. In the example, this works after “ima” to make the subject in the sentence.
- muzukashii – 難しい (むずかしい) : an i-adjective meaning ‘difficult’ in Japanese.
- toki – 時 (とき) : a noun meaning ‘time’ in Japanese.
- desu – です : an auxiliary verb used after a noun or adjective to make it polite. Probably, this is well known as a part of Japanese desu form. In the example, this is used after “muzukashii toki” to make it sound polite.
This is another typical usage of “ima”. In this example, it works as a noun and refers to the present time we are living in.
Summary
In this blog post, I’ve explained the definitions and meanings of “ima”. And also, I’ve explained how to use it through the example sentences. Let me summarize them as follows.
- ima – 今 (いま) : an adverb meaning ‘now’, ‘currently’, or such in Japanese. This can also work as a noun to mean ‘this time’, ‘the present time’, or such in Japanese. It is also worth mentioning here that this kanji character often works as a prefix to add the meaning of ‘this’ or ‘current’. This fact would help Japanese learners understand some Japanese kanji expressions more easily and clearly.
Hope my explanations are understandable and helpful for Japanese learners.
