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ahora means now — a common term in Essential Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: August 7, 2025

📘 Essential Spanish

ahora

adverb • /[ah-OH-ra]/

now

Example:

No puedo hablar ahora, llámame más tarde.

I can't talk now, call me later.

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🧠 What does ahora mean?

Ahora is a fundamental Spanish adverb that translates to 'now' in English. It refers to the present moment, indicating actions happening at this very instant. It can also express immediacy or a change of state.

📚 Extra examples

  • Llámame ahora mismo.
    Call me right now.
  • Ahora entiendo.
    Now I understand.
  • ¿Qué hora es ahora?
    What time is it now?
  • Ahora vivo en España.
    Now I live in Spain (I didn't before).
  • De ahora en adelante, estudiaré más.
    From now on, I will study more.

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'now' in Spanish?
The Spanish word for 'now' is 'ahora'.
How do you pronounce 'ahora' in Spanish?
It's pronounced a-O-ra, with the stress on the second syllable. Think of it rhyming with 'flora'.
How do you use 'ahora' in a sentence?
You can use 'ahora' at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence, depending on the emphasis you want. For example: 'Ahora voy a la tienda' (Now I'm going to the store), 'Estoy estudiando ahora' (I'm studying now), or 'Nos vemos ahora' (See you now).
What is the English translation of 'ahora'?
'Ahora' translates to 'now' in English.
Does 'ahora' change for gender or number?
No, 'ahora' is an adverb and doesn't change its form.
Is 'ahora' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'ahora' is extremely common and essential for everyday communication in Spanish.
Does 'ahora' have slang or double meanings?
While 'ahora' itself doesn't have slang meanings, it can be used in expressions like 'ahora mismo' (right now) or 'ahora sí' (now for real/now things are getting serious), which add a bit more emphasis.
Is 'ahora' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
No, 'ahora' is used consistently across Spain and Latin America with the same meaning.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "ahora"

Synonyms: en este momento, actualmente
Opposites: antes, después, luego

💡 Did You Know?

Adding 'mismo' after 'ahora' (ahora mismo) strengthens the meaning to 'right now' or 'this very instant'.

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