Today, Now, Right Now

Question

Here in Mexico, I am working next to a person who learned their Spanish in Spain and Peru. One point we always have a misunderstanding about is the concept of "now".

In Mexico, the following applies

hoy = today (but not so frequently used)

ahora = today

ahorita = now

ya = right now, when used in response to the question ¿a que horas?

Similarly,

¿Cuando? = what date?

¿A que horas? = when?, or what time?

These are not meant to be silly or funny translations. They are literal and actual translations.

My question is, how do these terms differ in different "kinds" of Spanish?

Conversations like this are common: ¿Cuando? - Ahora - ¿A que horas? - Ya! - petersenkid2, JUL 7, 2010

Answer 1

In Mexico City:

hoy or el día de hoy - today

ahora - now

ya or ahora mismo or ahorita or enseguida - right now

¿Cuándo? - What date? or When?

¿A qué hora/s? - What time?

Thanks for the answer Julan, but it has been my experience that in Mexico City "ahora" means "today". - petersenkid2, JUL 7, 2010

Answer 2

I found Ecuador the same as written for Argentina.

Also - ahora mismo for right now.

Ahorita is also common either for 'right now' as a request or 'in just a minute' as an answer to when you'll do something for someone else - Ecuadorians are known for using diminutives to soften their speech.

Here's some more phrases for 'now' that you could come across:

Now

Seems like maybe Mexican Spanish is the "oddball". - petersenkid2, JUL 7, 2010

Answer 3

Ahora =now, enseguida= right now.

Answer 4

In Spain the same ( equal Argentina)

Answer 5

In Argentina:

hoy - today

ahora - now

ya (or enseguida) - right now

¿Cuándo? - What date? or When?

¿A qué hora? - What time?

.

Hope it helps