nicht jetzt
/nɪçt jɛtst/word by word
The German phrase for "not now" is nicht jetzt.
The phrase nicht jetzt is used to indicate that the current moment is not a good time to do something. It serves as a direct translation for "not now" in everyday conversation.
Which one should you use?
While nicht jetzt is a direct way to say "not now", you might use Jetzt gerade nicht to informally decline an offer or suggest postponing. For a general suggestion to do something later, you can use Später, which is appropriate in both informal and some formal situations.
How do you pronounce it?
/nɪçt jɛtst/
Did you know?
- The component nicht is built from an ancient concept meaning 'no creature' or 'no being'.
- Using jetzt in the phrase Jetzt erst recht! creates a meaning of 'all the more so now', which is the opposite of wanting to delay something.
- If you say nicht jetzt to a German speaker, they might interpret it as a blunt refusal rather than a polite postponement.
Examples in context
- Wenn nicht jetzt, wann?If not now, then when?This sentence uses nicht jetzt to illustrate the phrase in a rhetorical context.Tatoeba #4854379 by Hippocrates, translation #1256992 by CK
- Tom, bitte nicht jetzt!Tom, please, not now.This sentence shows how to use nicht jetzt when requesting someone to stop an action immediately.Tatoeba #5528800 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #5521244 by Hybrid
- Ich habe gesagt nicht jetzt.I said not now.This sentence demonstrates how to use nicht jetzt when repeating a previous statement.Tatoeba #8328768 by MisterTrouser, translation #2405886 by CK
- Nicht jetzt, ich bin gerade beschäftigt.Not now, I'm busy at the moment.
- Jetzt gerade nicht, aber wie wäre es mit übermorgen?Not right now, but how about the day after tomorrow?
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felix wants to talk about chores while Laura is working.
- FelixKönnen wir kurz über den Müll reden?Can we talk briefly about the trash?
- LauraBitte nicht jetzt, ich arbeite gerade.Please not now, I am working right now.
- FelixEs dauert nur eine Minute, Laura.It only takes one minute, Laura.
- LauraWir machen das später, nicht jetzt.We will do that later, not now.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (nicht, jetzt) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries jetzt, nicht, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
