gerade jetzt
/ɡəˈraːdə jɛtst/word by word
The English phrase 'right now' can be translated into German as gerade jetzt. Wiktionary also lists genau jetzt.
Meaning: at this precise moment (adv)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| gerade jetzt | /ɡəˈraːdə jɛtst/ (standard, word by word) |
| genau jetzt | /ɡəˈnaʊ̯ jɛtst/ (word by word) |
Both gerade jetzt and genau jetzt are used to mean 'at this precise moment'. You might also use the alternative phrase im Moment to express that something is happening right now. In many contexts, the word gerade alone can be used to mean 'right now' or 'currently' without needing jetzt.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase gerade jetzt is composed of gerade (currently/just) and jetzt (now).
Which one should you use?
Genau jetzt translates to 'exactly now' and is an expressive way to convey 'right now' by emphasizing the precision of the moment more strongly than gerade jetzt.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡəˈraːdə jɛtst/
Did you know?
- The German word genau shares an ancestor with the Old English word 'niggardly', which describes someone who is miserly.
Examples in context
- Soviel ich weiß, könnte er gerade jetzt in Paris sein.For all I know, he could be in Paris right now.This sentence uses gerade jetzt to suggest a possible current location.Tatoeba #753515 by Esperantostern, translation #746003 by Scott
- Wir müssen doch nicht gerade jetzt darüber reden, oder?We don't really have to talk about this right now, do we?This sentence uses gerade jetzt to question the timing of a conversation.Tatoeba #7460630 by driini, translation #4011992 by CK
- Die Idee mag verrückt scheinen, aber ich denke, wir sollten Tom und Mary gerade jetzt besuchen.It may seem like a crazy idea, but I think we should go visit Tom and Mary right now.This sentence uses gerade jetzt to suggest an immediate action.Tatoeba #1799953 by Esperantostern, translation #1030097 by CK
- Das Meeting beginnt geradeRight now
- Bitte erledigen Sie diese Aufgabe unverzüglichImmediately
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felix and Laura are talking in the kitchen.
- FelixHast du gerade jetzt Zeit für mich?Do you have time for me right now?
- LauraNein, ich koche gerade jetzt das Abendessen.No, I am cooking dinner right now.
- FelixKann ich dir gerade jetzt dabei helfen?Can I help you with that right now?
- LauraJa, das wäre wirklich toll, Felix.Yes, that would be really great, Felix.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “right now” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (gerade, jetzt, genau) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries genau, gerade, jetzt, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
