Meaning and Usage
"지금" means "now" or "at this moment" and is one of the most common time adverbs in Korean. It indicates the present time and is used in both formal and informal contexts.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "지금" when asking about the current time, describing what is happening at the moment, or emphasizing immediacy.
Collocations and Patterns
- 지금 몇 시예요? (What time is it now?) — asking the current time.
- 지금 가다 (to go now) — expressing immediate action.
- 지금 바쁘다 (to be busy now) — describing current state.
Usage Tips
"지금" is often used with verbs in the present tense to emphasize the current moment. It can also be combined with future expressions to indicate urgency or a warning about timing.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "지금" with "오늘" (today). Remember, "지금" refers to the exact moment or immediate present, while "오늘" refers to the whole day.