Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| recién | /reˈθjen/ /reˈsjen/ |
|
| ahora mismo | /aˌoɾa ˈmismo/ | |
| hace un momento | /aθe un momento/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /ase un momento/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
|
| acabar de | /akaˈbaɾ de/ | verb |
In Spanish, there are different ways to express that something is very close to the present moment. You can use hace un momento to mean "a moment ago". While ahora mismo is often used to mean "just now," it is more frequently used to emphasize the immediate present, meaning "right now" or "at this very moment."
Which one should you use?
While ahora mismo can mean "just now" in some contexts, it more frequently emphasizes the immediate present ("right now") rather than a completed action in the very recent past. To specifically state that an event occurred in the very recent past, you can use hace un momento, which functions similarly to "just now".
How does it change in a sentence?
The verbal construction acabar de followed by an infinitive is the most common way to express that an action was completed just now (to have just [done something]).
How do you pronounce it?
/reˈθjen/
Did you know?
- The verb acabar in the construction acabar de is etymologically linked to the Latin word for 'head', specifically caput, via the concept of reaching the 'end' or 'conclusion' of something.
- The phrase ahora mismo can be used as a polite but firm way to tell someone to do something immediately, similar to 'this instant'.
Examples in context
- Estamos muy ocupados ahora mismo.We're very busy just now.This sentence shows how to use ahora mismo to mean "just now".Tatoeba #666104 by clerval, translation #241701 by CK
- Paul acaba de llamar ahora mismo.Paul telephoned just now.Tatoeba #1011488 by Shishir, translation #39926 by CN
- Tom acaba de llegar a casa ahora mismo.Tom came home just now.Tatoeba #1612588 by teskmon, translation #37246 by orcrist
- El gerente estará disponible para atenderlo ahora mismo.The manager will be available to assist you right now.
- El informe que solicitó fue enviado hace un momento.The report you requested was sent a moment ago.
- Terminé mi tarea recién.I just finished my homework.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier is looking for his keys in the living room.
- María¿Has visto mis llaves, Javier?Have you seen my keys, Javier?
- JavierNo, pero María las dejó aquí recién.No, but María just left them here.
- María¡Ah! Las encontré debajo del sofá.Ah! I found them under the sofa.
- JavierQué bueno que aparecieron.It's good that they appeared.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “just now” translations and entries recién, ahora mismo, acabar de, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries acabar, ahora, de, hace, mismo, recién, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
