Сейчас
Russian distinguishes two words for ‘now,’ one of which means ‘nowadays,’ and the other means ‘at this moment.’ The one that means ‘now, at this moment’ is сейчас. Beginning Russian students in the US often have а disgustingly limited knowledge of grammar, so for them I have this piece of advice: if your instructor asks you to what part of speech a particular word belongs and if you have absolutely no idea, then guess ‘adverb.’ Consider this dialog:
| Glorious instructor: | “What part of speech is сейчас?” |
| Vapid student: | “It's an adverb.” |
| Glorious instructor: | “Correct!” |
You see? By taking RWOTD's sage advice the vapid student now has curried the instructor's favor and will doubtless eventually enter grad school.
Here are a few example sentences:
| Мама сейчас на работе. | Mom is at work now. |
| — Хочешь пойти со мной в кино? — Извини, но я сейчас занята. |
“Do you want to go to the movies with me?” “Sorry, but I'm busy now.” |
| — Почему ты сейчас здесь? — Потому что не хочу идти домой. |
“Why are you here now?” “Because I don't want to go home.” |
Interestingly enough, сейчас can also mean “right away”:
| — Ваня, где ты? Приди домой поскорей, а то тебя накажут. — Я сейчас буду! |
“Vanya, where are you? Come home right away or you'll be in trouble.” “I will be right there!” |
| Я сейчас приготовлю ужин, а потом мы пойдём в кино. | I'll make dinner right away, then we will go to the movie. |
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