Now in Japanese

"now" in Japanese, with the kanji that carry the meaning.

今

ima

3 Japanese kanji carry the meaning "now". The most common choice is shown first.

Which one to use

今 is now. 現 is present as opposed to past, the 現 of 現在. 即 is immediate. 今 appears in 今日 today and 今年 this year, where it simply means this.

Top pick

now

Reading: kon

4 strokes

Where it comes from

Shape of covering with a lid. Capturing this moment under a cover.

What it carries

Present, immediate, this moment. Connected to Zen philosophy of living in the now.

Related kanji for "now"

now

gen

Composed of jade and see. Jade being visible.

now

soku

Composed of food and kneeling. Immediately reaching food.

The most common kanji for "now" is 今, read as kon. It means now. Related kanji: 現 (now), 即 (now).

今 has 4 strokes.