지금
jigeum[t͡ɕiɡɯm]
The English word "now" is translated into Korean as 지금 (jigeum) or 이제.
Meaning: at the present time (adv)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 지금 | jigeum | [t͡ɕiɡɯm] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 이제 | ije | [id͡ʑe̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
지금 is used to emphasize the immediate present moment, often used in questions like 'What are you doing right now?' To say "right now", you can use the phrase 바로 지금, where 바로 means "right".
Which one should you use?
While both mean 'now', 지금 refers to the specific point in time (the present moment), whereas 이제 often implies a transition from a previous state to a new one (e.g., 'now/from now on').
How do you pronounce it?
jigeum
Did you know?
- The word 지금 can be a homonym for a completely different term meaning 'ground gold' in Sino-Korean, depending on the Hanja used.
- Using 이제 can signal a permanent change in state, such as 'now that I am an adult', whereas 지금 cannot be used this way.
- The phrase 바로 지금 is often used in marketing and advertisements to create an intense sense of urgency for the consumer.
Examples in context
- 지금 뭘 하고 있어?What are you doing now?This sentence uses 지금 to ask about an action occurring at the present moment.Tatoeba #13250556 by qiwiwi, translation #241947 by CK
- 너 나랑 지금 춤출래?Will you dance with me right now?This sentence uses 지금 to ask about dancing at this moment.Tatoeba #7166437 by Pablohyun, translation #7342516 by erixa83
- 왜 지금 먹지 않나요?Why don't you eat now?This sentence uses 지금 to ask about the timing of eating.Tatoeba #11107473 by intertime, translation #6354828 by CK
- 이제 출발할 시간이에요.It's time to depart now.
- 현재 저희는 시장에 있습니다.We are currently at the market.
- 이젠 얘기할 시간이야.It's time to talk now.
- 이제 연습을 시작할 시간이에요.It's time to start practicing now.
- 이젠 같이 놀아요.Let's play together now.
- 82 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minjun calls Minji to see if she is busy.
- 민지 Min-ji민준 씨, 지금 통화 가능해요?Minjun ssi, jigeum tonghwa ganeunghaeyo?Minjun, can you talk on the phone now?
- 민준 Min-jun네, 민지 씨. 지금 괜찮아요.Ne, Minji ssi. Jigeum gwaenchannayo.Yes, Minji. I am free now.
- 민지 Min-ji다름이 아니라, 지금 만날 수 있어요?Dareumi anira, jigeum mannall su isseoyo?Actually, can we meet now?
- 민준 Min-jun좋아요, 지금 바로 나갈게요.Joayo, jigeum baro nagalgeyo.Sounds good, I will come out right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “now” translations and entries 지금, 이제, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 이제, 지금, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
