Russian Vocabulary (and Wisdom)

How to say "now" in Russian

This Russian word is one of the top 1000 words in Russian. The complete list of most common Russian words is available here.

сейчас

Meaning: now, at present, just now, a moment ago, in a moment, presently, soon

Pronunciation: [see-CHAHS / schahs]

Part of speech: adverb (This word can be colloquially pronounced as [щас] and [ща]. However the correct spelling is always "сейчас".)

Rank: #101 (see frequency list)

Example sentences:

Сейча́с два часа́.
It's two o'clock now.
Он сейча́с за́нят.
He's busy now.
Где ты сейча́с живёшь?
Where do you live now? (informal)
Сейча́с я уйду́.
I'll leave in a moment.
Сейча́с я чита́ю Достое́вского.
I am presently reading Dostoevsky.
Отпра́вьте э́то письмо́ пря́мо сейча́с.
Send this letter right now.
Сейча́с я ложу́сь спа́ть.
I am going to bed in a moment.
Он то́лько сейча́с ушёл.
He has just left.
Мне захоте́лось сейча́с же пойти́ домо́й.
I wanted to go home immediately.
Где мы сейча́с проезжа́ем?
Where are we passing now?
Его́ сейча́с нет.
He's not in now.
Как сейча́с по́мню.
I remember as if it's happening right now.
Сейча́с, подожди́ секу́нду.
Hold on a second.
То́лько сейча́с я заме́тил, что он в шо́ртах.
I've just noticed that he's been wearing shorts.
А сейча́с я да́же не зна́ю, что он обо́ мне ду́мает.
And now I don't even know what he thinks about me.

Idioms and set expressions:

только сейчас = just; just now
Cейчас! = In a minute!; Coming!
сейчас же = this instant; this very moment; immediately
прямо сейчас = right now

Proverbs and sayings:

Здесь и сейчас.
Here and now.

Phrase recordings: Copyright(c) 2011 MasterRussian.com. All rights reserved.
Word recordings: Copyright(c) 2006 Streit Goulnara, Streit Eric, Vion Nicolas. Copyright(c) 2007 S. Sakhno, N. Vion. Distributed under CC-BY.

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