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ただいま Japanese meaning | Kotomora

ただいま

た

だ

い

ま

Common wordJLPTN5Freq.FrequencyTop 10,000

Meanings

1

interjection

I'm home!; I'm back!

usually written using kana aloneabbreviation

Fixed greeting said when returning home. Abbreviation of ただいま帰りました (I've just returned). Used casually among family or housemates.

See also: ただいま帰りました

「ただいま！」「おかえり！」
"I'm home!" "Welcome back!"

2

adverb, noun

now; at present; currently

usually written using kana alone

Polite or formal way to say 'now' or 'at the moment'. Often used in announcements, customer service, or business settings.

ただいま準じゅん備び中ちゅうですので、少しょう々しょうお待まちください。
We are currently preparing, so please wait a moment.
ただいまの気き温おんは25度どです。
The current temperature is 25 degrees.

3

adverb

just now; a moment ago

usually written using kana alone

Refers to the very recent past. Often used in formal or polite contexts, similar to さっき but more courteous.

ただいま戻もどりました。
I just got back.
ただいま申もうし上あげた通とおりです。
It is just as I said a moment ago.

4

adverb

right away; shortly; soon

usually written using kana alone

Indicates something will happen in the immediate future. Common in service situations to ask someone to wait briefly.

ただいま参まいります。
I'll be right there.
ただいまお持もちします。
I'll bring it right away.

Written forms

ただいまUsage86%
Kana spelling is standard for all senses; usually written in kana.
只ただ今いまUsage12%
Kanji form is seen in formal writing or signs, but kana is much more common in everyday use.
ただ今いまUsage2%
Mixed kanji-kana variant; less common than 只今 or the pure kana form.
唯ただ今いまUsage1%
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form; learners are unlikely to encounter it.

Kanji

只only, free, in addition
今now
唯solely, only, merely

Similar words

いま
いま is the neutral, everyday word for 'now'. ただいま is more formal and polite, often used in business or service contexts.
さっき
さっき means 'a short while ago' in casual speech. ただいま (sense 3) is its formal counterpart, suitable for polite situations.

Etymology

Originally a phrase ただ今 (tada ima) meaning 'just now'. The 'I'm home' sense is an abbreviation of ただいま帰りました (tadaima kaerimashita, 'I've just returned').