When we use the word teraz, it signifies the present moment. In simpler terms, it means 'now'.
It's an adverb, so it modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, telling us when something is happening.
For example, if you say Teraz jem, it means 'I am eating now'.
It's a very common and useful word for expressing actions or states that are happening right at this moment.
§ Understanding 'teraz' (now)
The Slovak word for 'now' is 'teraz'. It's an adverb and it's super useful. You'll hear it all the time. Think of it as directly translating to 'now' in most situations.
- DEFINITION
- Now
§ Basic examples of 'teraz' in sentences
Let's look at some simple sentences to get you started.
Čo robíš teraz?
What are you doing now? (literally: What do you do now?)
Musím ísť teraz.
I have to go now.
Je teraz doma?
Is he/she now at home?
§ Using 'teraz' for ongoing actions
'Teraz' is perfect for talking about what's happening right this minute.
Pracujem teraz.
I am working now.
On číta knihu teraz.
He is reading a book now.
§ 'Teraz' in questions and commands
You can also use 'teraz' when asking questions or giving instructions.
Môžeme ísť teraz?
Can we go now?
Urob to teraz!
Do it now!
§ Similar words and when to use this one vs alternatives
While 'teraz' is your go-to for 'now', sometimes you might hear or use other words that convey a similar sense of time. But be careful, they aren't direct substitutes for 'teraz'.
Hneď: This means 'immediately' or 'right away'. It's stronger and more urgent than 'teraz'.
Prídem hneď.
I'll come right away.
Aktuálne: This means 'currently' or 'presently'. It's a bit more formal and refers to the current situation or period, rather than the exact moment.
Čo je aktuálne dôležité?
What is currently important?
Momentálne: Similar to 'aktuálne', meaning 'at the moment' or 'currently'. It also has a slightly more formal feel and refers to the present time, often implying a temporary state.
Som momentálne zaneprázdnený.
I am currently busy.
In summary, 'teraz' is your everyday 'now'. Use 'hneď' for 'right away' or 'immediately'. Use 'aktuálne' or 'momentálne' for 'currently' or 'at the moment' when talking about a situation or a temporary state, not an instant action.
Beispiele nach Niveau
Teraz je dôležité, aby sme sa sústredili.
Now it is important that we focus.
Nemôžem prísť teraz, mám veľa práce.
I can't come now, I have a lot of work.
Teraz je ten správny čas začať nový projekt.
Now is the right time to start a new project.
Čo robíš teraz?
What are you doing now?
Rozumiem tomu oveľa lepšie teraz.
I understand it much better now.
Teraz musíme byť trpezliví.
Now we must be patient.
Prosím, zavolajte mi teraz, ak môžete.
Please call me now, if you can.
Teraz si oddýchnem, potom budem pokračovať.
Now I will rest, then I will continue.
Wird oft verwechselt mit
This is a more formal synonym for 'teraz', meaning 'currently' or 'at the moment.' It's often used in more official contexts.
This phrase literally translates to 'at this moment' and is a good, slightly more elaborate way to say 'now,' often used for emphasis.
Means 'simultaneously' or 'concurrently.' While it involves the present, it specifically refers to things happening at the same time, not just 'now' generally.
Grammatikmuster
Leicht verwechselbar
'Hneď' is often confused with 'teraz' (now) because both can refer to immediacy. However, 'hneď' specifically means 'right away' or 'immediately,' implying a quick start or action.
'Teraz' indicates the current moment, while 'hneď' emphasizes promptness of an action.
Urobím to hneď. (I'll do it right away.)
'Už' can be confusing because it can sometimes translate to 'now' in English, especially when indicating a change of state or completion. However, its core meaning is 'already' or 'by now.'
'Teraz' is about the present moment. 'Už' signals something has started or finished, or reached a certain point, *by* now.
Už je doma. (He is already home / He is home now.)
'Potom' means 'then' or 'after that,' which is the opposite of 'teraz.' The confusion arises when learners try to connect immediate future actions with 'teraz' instead of using 'potom' for sequential events.
'Teraz' is the present. 'Potom' is sequential in time, referring to what comes after the present or a previous event.
Najprv jem, potom idem von. (First I eat, then I go out.)
'Dnes' means 'today.' While 'today' includes 'now,' 'dnes' refers to the entire current day, whereas 'teraz' is specifically about the current moment within that day.
'Teraz' is a point in time. 'Dnes' is a duration of time.
Dnes mám voľno. (Today I have a day off.)
'Práve' can mean 'just now' or 'right now,' which makes it very close to 'teraz.' The distinction is subtle: 'práve' often emphasizes that something is happening *at this very moment* or has *just* happened.
'Teraz' is general 'now.' 'Práve' is more emphatic, meaning 'right at this moment' or 'just.'
Práve prichádza. (He is just arriving / He is arriving right now.)
Satzmuster
Teraz je [časový údaj].
Teraz je večer. (Now it is evening.)
[Sloveso] teraz.
Pracujem teraz. (I am working now.)
Čo robíš teraz?
Čo robíš teraz? (What are you doing now?)
Teraz [sloveso].
Teraz idem domov. (Now I am going home.)
Už je teraz.
Už je teraz. (It's already now.)
Nie teraz.
Nie teraz. (Not now.)
Od teraz.
Od teraz budem študovať. (From now on I will study.)
Až teraz.
Až teraz som pochopil. (Only now did I understand.)
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
Asking about current actions
- Čo robíš teraz?
- What are you doing now?
- Čo sa deje teraz?
- What's happening now?
Indicating immediate actions or plans
- Idem teraz.
- I'm going now.
- Musím ísť teraz.
- I have to go now.
Comparing present with past or future
- Teraz je to iné.
- Now it's different.
- Nie teraz, možno neskôr.
- Not now, maybe later.
Stating current time or situation
- Teraz je ráno.
- Now it's morning.
- Ako sa máš teraz?
- How are you now?
Expressing urgency or immediate need
- Potrebujem to teraz.
- I need it now.
- Urob to teraz!
- Do it now!
Gesprächseinstiege
"Čo robíš teraz?"
"Máš čas sa teraz porozprávať?"
"Je to teraz dobrý čas?"
"Čo si teraz myslíš?"
"Ako sa teraz cítiš?"
Tagebuch-Impulse
Napíš o tom, čo robíš teraz, a ako sa cítiš.
Čo je tvojou prioritou teraz a prečo?
Porovnaj, ako sa tvoj život zmenil od 'vtedy' do 'teraz'.
Čo by si chcel/a dosiahnuť teraz, keby si mal/a všetky možnosti?
Opíš miesto, kde si teraz, piatimi slovami.
Teste dich selbst 42 Fragen
Ja som ___ tu.
The sentence means 'I am here now.' 'Teraz' means 'now'.
Ona pracuje ___.
The sentence means 'She is working now.' 'Teraz' means 'now'.
Čo robíš ___?
The question means 'What are you doing now?' 'Teraz' means 'now'.
On príde ___.
The sentence means 'He will come now.' 'Teraz' means 'now'.
My jeme ___.
The sentence means 'We are eating now.' 'Teraz' means 'now'.
Ste voľní ___?
The question means 'Are you free now?' 'Teraz' means 'now'.
Which word means 'now' in Slovak?
'Teraz' directly translates to 'now'. 'Zajtra' means 'tomorrow', 'včera' means 'yesterday', and 'neskôr' means 'later'.
Complete the sentence: 'Chcem to urobiť ___.' (I want to do it now.)
To express 'now' in Slovak, 'teraz' is the correct adverb. 'Potom' means 'then', 'niekedy' means 'sometimes', and 'nikdy' means 'never'.
Choose the correct translation for 'Are you busy now?'
'Teraz' is the Slovak word for 'now'. The other options use adverbs for different times.
'Teraz' means 'yesterday'.
'Teraz' means 'now', not 'yesterday'. The Slovak word for 'yesterday' is 'včera'.
If someone asks 'Kedy?' (When?), a correct answer could be 'Teraz.'
'Kedy?' means 'When?', and 'Teraz.' means 'Now.', which is a perfectly valid and direct answer.
The sentence 'Idem domov teraz.' means 'I am going home later.'
'Idem domov teraz.' means 'I am going home now.' 'Teraz' indicates the present moment, not a later time.
Write a short sentence saying what you are doing now. Use 'teraz'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Ja teraz čítam túto lekciu. (I am now reading this lesson.)
Imagine you are at home. Write a sentence about what a family member is doing right now. Use 'teraz'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Moja mama teraz varí. (My mom is cooking now.)
Write a question asking a friend what they are doing 'now'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Čo robíš teraz? (What are you doing now?)
Kde je Anna teraz?
Read this passage:
Ahoj! Ja som Anna. Teraz som v Bratislave. Bratislavský hrad je krásny. Mám rada Slovensko.
Kde je Anna teraz?
The passage states, 'Teraz som v Bratislave,' which means 'Now I am in Bratislava.'
The passage states, 'Teraz som v Bratislave,' which means 'Now I am in Bratislava.'
Čo robí Peter teraz?
Read this passage:
Toto je môj brat Peter. Peter je študent. Teraz sa učí slovenský jazyk.
Čo robí Peter teraz?
The sentence 'Teraz sa učí slovenský jazyk' directly translates to 'Now he is learning Slovak language.'
The sentence 'Teraz sa učí slovenský jazyk' directly translates to 'Now he is learning Slovak language.'
Kde je Ján teraz?
Read this passage:
Dobrý deň. Ja som Ján. Teraz som v obchode. Kupujem chlieb a mlieko.
Kde je Ján teraz?
The passage says 'Teraz som v obchode,' meaning 'Now I am in the shop.'
The passage says 'Teraz som v obchode,' meaning 'Now I am in the shop.'
Listen for 'now I'm going home'.
Listen for 'What are you doing now?'.
Listen for 'I only have time now'.
Read this aloud:
Teraz je môj obľúbený seriál.
Focus: Te-raz, o-blú-be-ný
Du hast gesagt:
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Read this aloud:
Pracujem teraz.
Focus: Pra-cu-jem, te-raz
Du hast gesagt:
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Read this aloud:
Nemôžem, musím ísť teraz.
Focus: Ne-mô-žem, mu-sím, ísť, te-raz
Du hast gesagt:
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Musíme konať ___, inak bude neskoro.
The sentence means 'We must act now, otherwise it will be too late.' 'Teraz' means 'now'.
Čo robíš ___?
The question means 'What are you doing now?' 'Teraz' means 'now'.
Vlak prichádza ___.
The sentence means 'The train is arriving now.' 'Teraz' means 'now'.
Potrebujem tvoju pomoc ___.
The sentence means 'I need your help now.' 'Teraz' means 'now'.
___ je ten správny čas na zmenu.
The sentence means 'Now is the right time for a change.' 'Teraz' means 'now'.
Prečo si to urobil ___?
The question means 'Why did you do it now?' 'Teraz' means 'now'.
Listen for 'now' and understand why they need to go home.
Identify the word for 'now' and the question being asked.
Listen for 'now' and what it's the right time for.
Read this aloud:
Teraz rozumiem, čo si mi chcel povedať.
Focus: rozumiem
Du hast gesagt:
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Read this aloud:
Nemôžem ti pomôcť teraz, som veľmi zaneprázdnený.
Focus: zaneprázdnený
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Čo budeš robiť teraz, keď si skončil prácu?
Focus: skončil
Du hast gesagt:
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The typical word order in Slovak for 'Now we have to go home' is 'Now (adverb) we have to (verb) go (infinitive) home (adverb of place)'.
In questions starting with 'čo' (what), 'teraz' (now) often follows the question word and precedes the verb. 'What are you doing now?'
The phrase 'je rad na mne' means 'it's my turn'. 'Teraz' (now) comes at the beginning to emphasize the timing. 'Now it's my turn.'
/ 42 correct
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