지금 vs 이제
Korean word comparison
Listen to 지금
Listen to 이제
| 지금 | 이제 |
|---|---|
JI-gum adverb | [i-je] adverb |
| at this moment; right now | now; at this point; from now on |
How they differ
"이제" can mean "now" like "지금," but it often carries a transition meaning, such as "now at last," "from here on," or "it is time to." "지금" is more purely a moment-in-time word, while "이제" often implies a change in state or a shift to the next phase.
When to use each
When to use 지금: Use "지금" when you simply mean the present moment without any special implication.
When to use 이제: Use "이제" when you want to suggest that something has just become true, is starting now, or is moving into a new stage.
Side-by-side examples
- 지금 시간이 몇 시예요?
(What time is it right now?) - 이제 시간이 몇 시예요?
(What time is it now?)
Register & nuance: "이제" is very common in everyday speech and writing, and it is slightly more flexible than "지금" because it can also mean "from now on."