nunc
[ˈnʊŋk]
The English word "now" can be translated into Latin as nunc or iam.
Meaning: at the present time (adv)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA |
|---|---|
| nunc | [ˈnʊŋk] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈnuŋk] (narrow) |
| iam | [ˈjãː] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈjam] (narrow) |
Both words express that something is happening at the present time, but they are used to emphasize different aspects of the present.
Which one should you use?
nunc emphasizes the specific, immediate point in time (right now) and is used to highlight the present in contrast to the past or future. In contrast, iam is often used when the context implies a change in state or that an action has already begun as a result of a preceding event, often translating to "already" or "now".
Did you know?
- The Latin word iam actually started as a female pronoun meaning 'which' or 'who' before it evolved into a word for 'now'.
- In legal Latin, nunc pro tunc is a term meaning 'now for then', used when a court documents an action as if it had happened at an earlier date.
- The phrase nunc est bibendum meaning 'now is the time for drinking' is a famous line from Horace used to celebrate a victory over an enemy.
Examples in context
- Iam is vir est.He's a man now.This sentence shows how iam can be used to indicate a change in state.Tatoeba #3587517 by soweli_Elepanto, translation #1886944 by Spamster
- Nunc in culina est.She is in the kitchen right now.This sentence demonstrates how nunc identifies a specific current location.Tatoeba #1309315 by alexmarcelo, translation #1169571 by cruzedu73
- Hodie, hic et nunc.Today, here and now.This sentence shows the use of nunc to emphasize the immediate moment.Tatoeba #3308602 by carlosalberto, translation #3308800 by Malape
- Vir nunc venitThe man is coming now
- Debemus agere hoc hic et nuncWe must act on this here and now
- Ora pro nobis nuncPray for us now
- Abi iamGo now!
- Nunc dic mihi quid accideritNow tell me what happened
- Hic et nunc deliberandum estHere and now, we must deliberate
- Iam venio!I'm coming now!
- 396 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In a garden, Julia and Marcus are talking about their tasks.
- JuliaNunc laboramus.Now we are working.
- MarcusQuid nunc facis?What are you doing now?
- JuliaNunc hortum colere volo.Now I want to tend the garden.
- MarcusBene, nunc id faciamus.Good, let us do it now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “now” translations and entries nunc, iam, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries iam, nunc, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
