இப்போது
ippōtu/ɪpːoːd̪ɯ/
The English word "now" is translated into Tamil as இப்போது (ippōtu).
இப்போது is a common and straightforward way to say 'now' in Tamil used in formal settings.
Meaning: at the present time (adv)
Which one should you use?
இப்போ is a commonly used informal expression and a shorter version of இப்போது. In spoken Tamil, இப்போ is a very common, shortened version of இப்போது used in casual conversation.
How do you pronounce it?
ippōtu (/ɪpːoːd̪ɯ/)
Did you know?
- Tamil speakers often use இப்போ as a filler word at the start of a sentence to signal a change in topic, similar to how English speakers use 'so' or 'now then'.
- Tamil has several different words for 'now' depending on whether you mean 'at this instant' or 'at this current stage of life'.
- The proximal marker இ at the start of இப்போது is part of a system that distinguishes things by distance. It is the opposite of அ, which is used for 'that' or 'then'.
Examples in context
- அதற்கு இப்போது உதவி தேவை.It needs help right now.This sentence demonstrates how to use இப்போது to indicate a current need for help.Tatoeba #10720854 by DriedGrapes31, translation #10720855 by DriedGrapes31
- இப்போது மழை பெய்கிறது.ippōtu maḻai peykiṟatu.It is raining now.
- நான் இப்போது வேலையாக இருக்கிறேன்.nāṉ ippōtu vēlaiyāka irukkiṟēṉ.I am busy now.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Anita and Arun are talking about dinner.
- அனிதா Anitaஅருண், இப்போது சாப்பிடலாமா?aruṇ, ippōtu sāppiṭalāmā?Arun, shall we eat now?
- அருண் Arunஇல்லை, இன்னும் கொஞ்சம் நேரம் ஆகும்.illai, iṉṉum koñcam nēram āgum.No, it will take a little more time.
- அனிதா Anitaசரி, நான் இப்போது காய்கறிகளை வெட்டுகிறேன்.cari, nāṉ ippōtu kāykarikaḷai veṭṭukiṟēṉ.Okay, I will cut the vegetables now.
- அருண் Arunநன்றி, அனிதா.naṉṟi, anitā.Thanks, Anita.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry இப்போது, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
