şimdi
/ˈʃim.di/
The English word 'now' is translated to Turkish as şimdi.
şimdi is the most common and neutral way to say 'now' at the present time. It can also be used as an interjection to signal the beginning of an action or to indicate that something is about to happen.
Meaning: at the present time (adv)
Which one should you use?
While şimdi refers to the present time, the phrase şu an is often used to emphasize the immediate, exact present moment or 'at this very instant'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In parts of Western Anatolia, imdi is a variation of şimdi.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
You can add the dative case suffix -e or -ye to şimdi to create the form şimdiye, which means 'to now' or 'until now'. Additionally, the common phrase şimdiye kadar is used to express 'until now' or 'so far'.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 2 syllables and the stress is on the first syllable. It is pronounced /ˈʃim.di/. The [sh] sound is like the [sh] in 'shoe', the [i] sound is like the [ee] in 'creek' and the [m] sound is like the [m] in 'much'.
Did you know?
- Turkish speakers use şimdi as a conversational filler to pivot a topic or signal they are about to make a point, similar to saying 'now then' in English.
- The word şimdi can act as a conjunction to introduce a logical consequence, effectively meaning 'therefore' or 'consequently' in certain contexts.
- The modern şimdi actually began its life in Old Anatolian Turkish as the two separate words uş imdi.
Examples in context
- O şimdi iyi mi?Is that OK now?This sentence shows how to use şimdi to ask if a situation is okay at the present time.Tatoeba #2004778 by duran, translation #456043 by lukaszpp
- Tom şimdi boş mu?Is Tom free now?This sentence demonstrates using şimdi to ask if someone is free at the present time.Tatoeba #2509269 by duran, translation #2262181 by CK
- İş şimdi çok iyi.Business is very good now.This sentence illustrates using şimdi to describe a current state of business.Tatoeba #4609863 by duran, translation #2545022 by CK
- Şu an parkta buluşalım mı?Shall we meet at the park now?
- Kahveni getirmek için hemen geliyorum!I'm coming right away to bring your coffee!
- Benim ne yapacağımı, şu ihtiyar şimdi mi öğretecek?Is this old man now going to teach me what to do?
- 5708 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mehmet and Selin are talking about starting a movie.
- MehmetFilmi şimdi izleyelim mi?Shall we watch the movie now?
- SelinEvet, ben hazırım.Yes, I am ready.
- MehmetMısırları şimdi getiriyorum.I am bringing the popcorn now.
- SelinTamam, bekliyorum Mehmet.Okay, I am waiting, Mehmet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “now” translations and entries şimdi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries şimdi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
