Ways to say it
| Cantonese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 依家 | ji¹ gaa¹ |
| 而家 | ji⁴ gaa¹ |
| 如今 | jyu⁴ gam¹ |
| 現在 / 现在 | jin⁶ zoi⁶ |
| 現今 / 现今 | jin⁶ gam¹ |
| 現時 / 现时 | jin⁶ si⁴ |
All these terms express the concept of "now" or the present time, but they differ in their specific nuance. While most forms refer to the present moment, the term 如今 refers more broadly to the current era or "these days." If you need to express the sense of "right now" or "immediately," you should use 即刻 instead of these general terms for "now."
Which one should you use?
The forms 而家 and 依家 are the standard colloquial versions used in daily spoken Cantonese. In contrast, the other forms are more formal or literary. Specifically, 現在 / 现在 is a formal term used in written Cantonese or official spoken contexts. 如今 is a literary term used to describe a current era or "these days" rather than a specific, immediate moment.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In casual, everyday conversation, you will most commonly use 而家 or 依家. For formal settings, written Cantonese or official contexts, use 現在 / 现在. The term 如今 is considered literary. 而家 is the most common way to say "now" in everyday spoken Cantonese.
How does it change in a sentence?
To add emphasis to the word "now," you can use 而家 as the first word in a sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
ji¹ gaa¹
Did you know?
- Although 現在 is the standard way to say 'now' in Mandarin, a Cantonese speaker using it in a casual setting like a street market will sound like they are reading a news broadcast or acting in a historical drama.
- The formal term 如今 is so literary that using it to talk about daily life, such as your lunch plans, makes you sound like a poet discussing the passage of eras.
- To express 'now' as a logical premise, such as 'now that you are here', Cantonese uses 既然, which has no relation to the colloquial words for the present time.
Examples in context
- 佢依家傷風。He has a cold now.This sentence is useful for describing a current state of health using 依家.Tatoeba #4778589 by kaenif, translation #296464 by CK
- 而家又點啊？What's the matter now?This sentence is useful for asking about a current situation using 而家.Tatoeba #12073403 by thesilhouette, translation #3395904 by CK
- 而家係三點正。It is exactly three o'clock now.This sentence is useful for stating the current time using 而家.Tatoeba #4193498 by nickyeow, translation #2826450 by CS
- 而家你可以開始工作了。Now, you can start working.
- 我而家好忙。I am very busy now.
- 而家我好餓。I'm hungry now.
- 佢即刻出發。He's leaving now.
- 121 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing when to start dinner.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung我哋依家開始煮飯好嗎？ngo5 dei6 ji1 gaa1 ci2 ci2 faan2 hou2 maa1?Shall we start cooking dinner now?
- 子健 Tsz Kin唔好，我依家仲忙緊。m4 hou2, ngo5 ji1 gaa1 zung6 mong4 gan2.No, I am still busy right now.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung咁你幾時先有時間？gam2 nei6 gei2 si4 sin1 jau5 si4 gaan1?Then when will you have time?
- 子健 Tsz Kin等我十分鐘，依家就搞掂。dang2 ngo5 sap6 fan1 zung1, ji1 gaa1 zau6 gaau2 dim6.Give me ten minutes, I'll be done now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “now” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
