сейча́с
sejčás
The English word 'now' can be translated into Russian as сейча́с (sejčás) or ны́не.
Meaning: at the present time (adv)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| сейча́с | sejčás |
| ны́не | nýne |
The primary meaning is 'at the present time' as an adverb. While сейча́с refers to the immediate present moment, other related terms like раз уж can mean 'since' or 'because' and пора́ can be used as an interjection to signal that it is time to begin something.
Which one should you use?
сейча́с is the standard, neutral and everyday word used to describe the present moment. In contrast, ны́не is a high-register or literary form used to mean 'now' in the sense of 'in these times' or 'nowadays', often appearing in poetic, religious or historical contexts.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
sejčás
Did you know?
- In Russian, сейча́с can be used as a warning or a threat, similar to saying 'just you wait' in English. When spoken with a specific stern intonation, it implies that consequences are coming immediately.
- If you say сейча́с to a Russian speaker, they might not be acting immediately. In casual conversation, people often use сейча́с to mean 'in a little bit' or 'hold on', even if the action is actually several minutes away.
- The word сейча́с is actually a contraction of the older phrase сего ча́са, which literally translates to 'this hour'.
Examples in context
- Том сейча́с зубри́т для ито́говых экза́менов.Tom is now cramming for the finals.This sentence shows how to use сейча́с to describe a current action.Tatoeba #3234373 by Wayawa, translation #1093458 by CK
- Теперь вы будете говорить по-русски свободно.Now you will speak Russian freely.
- Сейчас мы приступим к важному объяснению.We will now begin an important explanation.
- Сейчас-сейчас, я закончу эту задачу.I will finish this task right now.
- Я сейча́с заня́т.Ya seychas zanyat.I am busy now.
- Мы сейча́с в рестора́не.My seychas v restorane.We are in a restaurant now.
Example conversation
Dmitry and Anastasia are talking on the phone.
- Дмитрий DmitryАнаста́сия, ты сейча́с свобо́дна?Anastasiya, ty seychas svobodna?Anastasia, are you free now?
- Анастасия AnastasiaНет, я сейча́с гото́влю у́жин.Net, ya seychas gotovlyu uzhin.No, I am cooking dinner now.
- Дмитрий DmitryХорошо, тогда позвоню́ по́зже.Khorosho, togda pozvonyu pozhe.Okay, I will call later then.
- Анастасия AnastasiaДмитри́й, до связи!Dmitriy, do svyazi!Dmitry, talk to you later!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “now” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
