asphodelly

Figuring out the difference between “сейчас” и “теперь” in Russian

The adverb “сейчас” is used in the following meanings:

1. “Очень скоро” (soon enough), “сейчас” (now, immediately) , “вот-вот” (here it comes) — the structure of adverb is considered this meaning, cause “сей” is “this” and “час” is hour, so it literally says “right now” in Russian, as if it’s going to happen right away.

Examples:

Сейчас начнётся обед (The lunch is going to start now)
Сейчас что-то случится (Something is going to happen)

2. “В настоящее время” — something what is happening in present, in this exact period of time.

Examples:

Сейчас я изучаю русский (I learn Russian at this point)
Сейчас я обедаю (I’m having lunch now)

3. Стало — when the situation clarifies or changes after a while.

Сейчас понятно, что ты хороший человек (It’s clear now that you’re a good person) — literally: we wasn’t sure about it earlier, but NOW we realize it
Сейчас я знаю, что это вовсе не страшно (I realize now, that it isn’t scary at all) — literally: I didn’t realize it before, but NOW I do

The adverb “теперь” is mainly used in the following meanings:

1. “В настоящее время” — compared to the acciones in the past

Example:

Поработал, пообедал, теперь отдыхаю (I worked, slept and now I’m relaxing)

2. “В настоящее время” — very similar one; when we’re talking about the circumstances that have changed through time

Example:

Раньше я не говорил по-русски, а теперь говорю (I didn’t know how to talk in Russian, but now I do)

❗️Remember:

👆"сейчас“ belongs to shorter period of time, whereas ”теперь“ to longer one, so it’s meaning is more extensive;

👆if you’re unsure about what to chose, you can always replace ”сейчас“ with ”теперь“ (natives always mix them in everyday conversations) but not vice versa;

👆the main difference between these to is that ”теперь“ is more about a result in contrast to ”сейчас“ (ex.1,2).

Feel free to correct my mistakes 💕