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How to Say "these days" in Spanish

English → Spanish

ahora

/a-O-ra//aˈoɾa/

adverbB1general
Use 'ahora' when you mean 'right now' or 'currently' in a general sense, contrasting with a past time.
A split image showing an old-fashioned black-and-white television on the left and a modern, colorful flat-screen TV on the right.

Examples

Antes la gente escribía cartas, pero ahora todos mandan correos electrónicos.

People used to write letters, but these days everyone sends emails.

Ahora es mucho más fácil viajar por el mundo.

These days it's much easier to travel the world.

hoy

/oy//ˈoi/

nounB1general
Use 'hoy en día' as a set phrase to specifically mean 'in this day and age' or 'nowadays,' emphasizing the current times as a distinct period.
A split scene showing old-fashioned technology on one side and a person using a modern smartphone on the other, representing 'nowadays'.

Examples

Hoy en día, casi todos tienen un teléfono.

These days, almost everyone has a phone.

El mundo de hoy es muy diferente al de nuestros abuelos.

Today's world is very different from our grandparents'.

Hay que vivir el hoy y no preocuparse tanto por el mañana.

One must live in the present and not worry so much about tomorrow.

Talking About 'The Present'

When you use 'hoy' to mean 'the present time', it often acts like a noun, a thing. You can even put 'el' in front of it: 'el hoy'.

Misinterpreting 'Hoy en día'

Mistake: “Thinking 'Hoy en día' means 'today in the day'.”

Correction: This is a set phrase that always means 'nowadays' or 'these days'. It's about the general present, not this specific 24-hour period.

Choosing between 'ahora' and 'hoy en día'

Learners often confuse 'ahora' with the set phrase 'hoy en día'. While 'ahora' can mean 'these days' in a general sense of 'currently', 'hoy en día' specifically highlights the characteristics of the present era, similar to 'nowadays'.

Related Translations

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