German word

nun

Pronunciation

IPA/nuːn/

Meaning

  • adverbnow

Example

Wir fangen nun an.

We are starting now.

Illustration for nun (now)

More examples

Und nun, was machen wir als Nächstes?

And now, what shall we do next?

Core concept

A small verbal marker places the next action in the current moment or moves the conversation forward.

Common phrases

  • und nun

    and now

Similar words

jetzt: Refers to the present moment.
gleich: Indicates that something will happen shortly.
dann: Indicates what follows after an earlier event.
also: Organizes the discussion and moves it to the next point.

Definition in German

Zeitlich 'jetzt' ausdrückt und oft als einleitende Wendung im Gespräch verwendet wird.

Word origin

German nun is an inherited Germanic adverb, related to English now, and its temporal meaning also supports its discourse use.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, nun can introduce a conclusion or transition, while nun ja often signals hesitation, qualification, or reluctant agreement.

Other meanings

  • thenadverb
  • welladverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word