Japanese with Manga

Now and the present with 今

primarily means “present”, “this moment”, and “right now”.

Etymology

This kanji originated from the 鈴. It was later borrowed for the meaning “now”.

Now and the Present

今後 (From now on)

今後(こんご) refers to the period ahead or the future, starting from this very moment.

It combines 今 (now) with 後 (after) to show what comes after now.

Manga panel from ご注文はうさぎですか? showing example of Now and the present with 今.
ご注文はうさぎですか? » Volume 1 » Page 100

Cocoa did fortune telling for her friends, only for all their fortunes to happen to her in a bad way.

リゼ:
今後(こんご)(うらな)いやめた(ほう)がいいぞ自分(じぶん)のために」
“For your own sake, you had better stop fortune telling from now on.”
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今朝 (This morning)

今朝(けさ) refers to “this day’s morning” or “the period from dawn to midday on the current day”.

It combines 今 (now) with 朝 (morning) to show this morning.

Manga panel from 好きな子がめがねを忘れた showing example of Now and the present with 今.
好きな子がめがねを忘れた » Volume 5 » Page 56

Komura sees Mie pick up an item she dropped and he wonders if it’s an earring. He fails to get a look at whether Mie’s ears are pierced. During class later, Mie shows Komura the item held up to her ear calling it a 「ピアス」. She then reveals it’s just a bead.

三重(みえ):
(わたし)ピアス()けてないし」
“Since I don't have my ears pierced.”
小村(こむら):
「あっ… …今朝(けさ)()としてたのもビーズ?」
“Ah, the item you dropped this morning was a bead?”
三重(みえ):
「うん」
“Mmhm.”
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今日 (Today)

今日(きょう) refers to the “current day” in which the speaker is living. It is also used to refer to “the present era” or “the present moment”.

It combines 今 (now) with 日 (day) to show the present day.

Manga panel from カードキャプターさくら showing example of Now and the present with 今.
カードキャプターさくら » Volume 1 » Page 80

A magical bird appears at Sakura’s school and causes trouble with strong winds. Recognizing it as a Clow Card, Sakura returns at night to try to capture it. After she fails, she returns the next night to try again, sporting a new Cardcaptor outfit designed by her friend Tomoyo.

知世(ともよ):
今日(きょう)衣装(いしょう)(とり)さん捕獲(ほかく)()わせて(はね)をイメージしてみました」
“For today's outfit, I went with a feather-inspired look to match the bird-catching theme.”
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今度 (This time)

今度(こんど) generally has two meanings: (1) the present (this time) and (2) the near future (next time). Depending on the context, it can refer to either the “past to present” or the “future”.

It combines 今 (now) with (occurrence) to show the present or upcoming occasion.

Manga panel from ご注文はうさぎですか? showing example of Now and the present with 今.
ご注文はうさぎですか? » Volume 1 » Page 97

When Cocoa picks up another student’s dropped handkerchief, she uses the opportunity to show off her devilish nature to Chiya they discussed earlier.

ココア:
「これも(なに)かの(えん)なので今度(こんど)(ひる)一緒(いっしょ)にどうですか?」
“How about we have lunch together next time, since this, too, is a meeting of chance?”
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今更 (Now, after all this time)

今更(いまさら) is a phrase that means “it would have been better if it had happened sooner, but now it’s too late” or “to do something now, after all this time”. It is often used to imply that it is “too late” to do anything about a situation.

It combines 今 (now) with 更 (late) to show bringing something up only now.

Manga panel from ふらいんぐうぃっち showing example of Now and the present with 今.
ふらいんぐうぃっち » Volume 6 » Page 105

During class, Makoto hears her cat meowing over the school’s intercom. After retrieving her cat, Makoto is confronted by another student. The student, also a witch, verbally reprimands Makoto over the ordeal. A few minutes into their conversation, Makoto asks the girl a question.

真琴(まこと):
「あの~ 今更(いまさら)なんですがお名前(なまえ)は…」
“Um... It's a bit late for this, but what's your name?”
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