Definitions
(adverb)
now; present; current
Etymology
Depicts a closed mouth. Upside-down 曰. The meaning "now" is a phonetic loan.
About
The character 今 originates from an early pictographic concept representing a lid or cover, which through a process of phonetic borrowing acquired its temporal meaning. Structurally, it has remained an uncomplicated and indivisible form, enduring without major graphical revisions or a distinct traditional variant that underwent simplification. Its semantic journey shifted from a broader implication of enclosure or immediate presence to a precise designation for the current moment, solidifying as the standard term for "now" in classical usage and continuing unchanged in modern application.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
今天天气很好。
我今天去学校。
今天下午我有会议。
今年我二十岁了。
从今天开始我要学习中文。
今天的新闻很有意思。
今天比昨天更热。
鉴于今天的天气情况，我们决定取消户外活动。