今
now
Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Shape of covering with a lid. Capturing this moment under a cover.
Symbolism
Present, immediate, this moment. Connected to Zen philosophy of living in the now.
Related Culture & Scenes
- — Living in the present
Component Breakdown
top-bottom: 亼 + ラ
Words & Expressions
Words written with 今
Four-Character Compounds
古往今来
こおうこんらい
in all ages; since antiquity
古今東西
ここんとうざい
all times and places; all ages and countries
昨非今是
さくひこんぜ
complete reversal of values or ways of thinking
古今独歩
ここんどっぽ
unmatched in history; unequaled in history
古今無双
ここんむそう
unparalleled in history
今是昨非
こんぜさくひ
complete reversal of values or ways of thinking (over time); What appeared wrong in the past now appears right; realizing and regretting the past errors of one's ways
東西古今
とうざいここん
all times and places; everywhen and everywhere
往古来今
おうこらいこん
in all ages; since antiquity
Proverbs & Idioms
今日の一針、明日の十針
きょうのひとはり、あすのとはり
One stitch today, ten stitches tomorrow
A stitch in time saves nine
Poetry
立ち別れ いなばの山の 峰に生ふる まつとし聞かば 今帰り来む
Though I leave for Mount Inaba, if I hear that you are waiting, like the pines on its peak, I will come straight back.
わびぬれば 今はた同じ 難波なる みをつくしても あはむとぞ思ふ
In this misery it makes no difference now. Like the channel markers at Naniwa, I will spend myself utterly to see you.
今こむと 言ひしばかりに 長月の 有明の月を 待ちいでつるかな
Only because you said you would come at once, I waited through the long ninth month until the dawn moon rose.
小倉山 峰のもみぢ葉 心あらば 今ひとたびの みゆき待たなむ
Maple leaves on the peak of Ogura, if you have any heart, wait for one more imperial visit before you fall.
忘れじの 行く末までは かたければ 今日をかぎりの 命ともがな
Your promise never to forget me is hard to keep to the end — so let today be the last day of my life.
あらざらむ この世のほかの 思ひ出に 今ひとたびの 逢ふこともがな
Soon I will be gone. So that I may carry one memory beyond this world, let me meet you once more.
今はただ 思ひ絶えなむ とばかりを 人づてならで 言ふよしもがな
Now there is only this to say — that I give you up — and I wish I could say it myself, not through another.
契りおきし させもが露を いのちにて あはれ今年の 秋もいぬめり
I lived on the promise you made, like dew on a moxa leaf — and now this autumn too is passing.
ながらへば またこのごろや しのばれむ 憂しと見し世ぞ 今は恋しき
If I live on, will I look back fondly even on these days? The times I thought unbearable I now miss.
Anime & Manga
骸骨騎士様、只今異世界へお出掛け中
Skeleton Knight in Another World
A well-known work with 今 in its Japanese title.
衛宮さんちの今日のごはん
Today's Menu for the Emiya Family
A well-known work with 今 in its Japanese title.
多聞くん今どっち！？
Tamon's B-Side
A well-known work with 今 in its Japanese title.
今、そこにいる僕
Now and Then, Here and There
A well-known work with 今 in its Japanese title.
今際の国のアリス
Alice in Borderland
A well-known work with 今 in its Japanese title.
Related Figures & Stories
Other kanji with the same meaning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 今 mean in Japanese?
今 means now.
How do you read 今?
On'yomi: コン、キン (KON, KIN). Kun'yomi: いま (ima).
How many strokes does 今 have?
今 has 4 strokes. Its radical is 人 (person).
Is 今 a good kanji for a tattoo?
今 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means now. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.
Explore by meaning:now