ahora
/a-O-ra/
Like the second hand on a clock, this meaning of "ahora" points to this exact moment in time: right now.
ahora (Adverb)
📝 In Action
¿Qué estás haciendo ahora?
A1What are you doing now?
Ahora no puedo hablar, estoy en una reunión.
A1I can't talk right now, I'm in a meeting.
Vivimos en Madrid ahora.
A2We live in Madrid now.
💡 Grammar Points
Where to Put 'Ahora'
You can usually put "ahora" at the beginning or end of your sentence, and it sounds natural either way. For example, 'Ahora voy al mercado' and 'Voy al mercado ahora' both work perfectly.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up 'Ahora' and 'Ahorita'
Mistake: "Using 'ahora' when you mean the slightly more flexible 'ahorita'."
Correction: 'Ahora' is pretty standard for 'now'. 'Ahorita' is common in Latin America and can mean 'right now' or 'in a little bit', depending on the country and context. When in doubt, 'ahora' is always a safe choice.
⭐ Usage Tips
Adding Urgency
To really emphasize that you mean THIS VERY SECOND, say "ahora mismo". It adds a sense of urgency, like '¡Hazlo ahora mismo!' (Do it right now!).
Sometimes "ahora" doesn't mean this exact second, but a moment in the very near future, just a few steps away in time.
ahora (Adverb)
📝 In Action
Termino la llamada y ahora voy.
A2I'll finish the call and be right there (in a minute).
—¿Puedes ayudarme? —Sí, ahora te ayudo.
A2—Can you help me? —Yes, I'll help you in a moment.
Ahora vemos qué hacemos.
B1We'll see what we do in a bit.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Taking It Too Literally
Mistake: "Thinking 'Ahora voy' means the person is coming this exact second."
Correction: This use of 'ahora' is often a promise to do something very soon, but not necessarily immediately. It's more like 'I'm on it' or 'I'll do it next'.
⭐ Usage Tips
The 'Flexible Now'
Think of this as the 'flexible now'. When someone says they'll do something 'ahora', it means it's their next priority. It's a softer, less urgent 'now' than 'ahora mismo'.
By comparing the past to the present, "ahora" can mean "nowadays" or "in this day and age."
ahora (Adverb)
📝 In Action
Antes la gente escribía cartas, pero ahora todos mandan correos electrónicos.
B1People used to write letters, but nowadays everyone sends emails.
Ahora es mucho más fácil viajar por el mundo.
B1These days it's much easier to travel the world.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use it for Contrasting
This meaning is perfect for making a contrast between 'then' and 'now'. It often appears in sentences that start by describing how things used to be.
Like a scale, "ahora" can be used to balance two different ideas, introducing a new point or a problem.
ahora (Conjunction)
📝 In Action
Tu ensayo es excelente. Ahora, tienes que revisar la ortografía.
B2Your essay is excellent. However, you have to check the spelling.
Podemos ir a la playa, es un día soleado. Ahora bien, no tengo coche.
B2We can go to the beach, it's a sunny day. That said, I don't have a car.
💡 Grammar Points
Connecting Contrasting Ideas
This version of "ahora" works like a bridge to connect two thoughts. The first thought is usually positive or neutral, and "ahora" introduces a challenge, problem, or different angle.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use 'Ahora bien'
This meaning is much clearer and more common when you say "ahora bien". It signals to the listener that you're about to introduce a new, contrasting piece of information. It sounds quite thoughtful and organized.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: ahora
Question 1 of 1
Your friend in Spain calls you and says, 'Estoy terminando un email. Ahora te llamo.' What does she most likely mean?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the real difference between 'ahora' and 'ahorita'?
'Ahora' is the standard word for 'now' everywhere. 'Ahorita' is a more informal version very common in Latin America. The tricky part is that 'ahorita' can mean 'right this second' in a country like Mexico, but it can mean 'in a little while' in a country like the Dominican Republic. If you're unsure, 'ahora' is always the safest and clearest option.
Can 'ahora' refer to the future?
Yes, but only the very immediate future. When someone says 'Ahora voy' ('I'm coming now'), they mean they will come in the next few seconds or minutes. It doesn't work for talking about tomorrow or next week. For that, you'd use words like 'mañana' or 'luego'.