German word

heute

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈhɔʏ̯tə/

Meaning

  • adverbtoday

Example

Kommst du heute zu mir?

Are you coming over to my place today?

Illustration for heute (today)

More examples

Ich bleibe heute Abend zu Hause.

I'm staying home this evening.

Core concept

The current calendar day as a time span, with the present moment inside it; in broader statements, it can point to present-day conditions.

Common phrases

  • heute Abend

    this evening

  • heute Nacht

    tonight

  • heute Morgen

    this morning

Similar words

jetzt: At the present moment or specific point in time.
gestern: During the day immediately before the current day.
morgen: During the day immediately after the current day.
heutzutage: As a general feature of modern society or present-day life.

Definition in German

Ein Adverb, das sich auf den laufenden Tag bezieht.

Word origin

Heute continues Old High German hiutu, an early Germanic adverb formed from an expression meaning 'on this day'.

Usage tips

  • Heute usually means 'today', while heutzutage more specifically marks the contrast between present-day conditions and an earlier period.

Other meanings

  • nowadaysadverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word