ただいま

ただいま
expression
I'm home
1. I'm home, I'm back
A set phrase said when returning home or to a place. Literally means 'just now' (from 只今(ただいま)). The response is お帰(かえ)りなさい.
ただいま！
I'm home!
Said when returning home
「ただいま」「お帰(かえ)りなさい」
"I'm home." "Welcome back."
Standard exchange
学校(がっこう)から帰(かえ)って「ただいま」と言(い)いました。
I came home from school and said "I'm home."
一人暮(ひとりぐ)らしでも「ただいま」と言(い)う人(ひと)がいます。
Some people say "I'm home" even when they live alone.
「ただいま戻(もど)りました」
"I've just returned."
ただいま参(まい)りました。
I have just arrived.
2. right now, at this moment
In formal contexts, ただいま can mean 'at this moment' or 'right now.'
ただいま会議中(かいぎちゅう)です。
We are currently in a meeting.
Meaning 'right now'
ただいまお席(せき)を外(はず)しております。
He/she is currently away from the desk.
ただいま準備中(じゅんびちゅう)です。
We are currently preparing.
ただいま担当者(たんとうしゃ)に確認(かくにん)しております。
I'm currently checking with the person in charge.
ただいま担当(たんとう)の者(もの)が席(せき)を外(はず)しておりますので、折(お)り返(かえ)しお電話(でんわ)いたします。
The person in charge is currently away, so we will call you back.

ただいま is an essential daily expression said when returning home or to a place. It pairs with the response お帰(かえ)りなさい ("welcome back").

ETYMOLOGY: From 只今(ただいま) meaning "just now," referring to the moment of arrival.

TWO MEANINGS:
1. "I'm home/back" - greeting when returning
2. "Right now" - formal expression meaning "at this moment"

VARIATIONS:

  • ただいま: standard (sense 1)
  • ただいま戻(もど)りました: I've just returned (more formal)
  • ただいま参(まい)りました: I have just arrived (humble)

PAIRED EXPRESSION:
ただいま → お帰(かえ)りなさい (Welcome back)

FORMAL USAGE (sense 2):

  • ただいま会議中(かいぎちゅう)です: We are currently in a meeting
  • ただいまお席(せき)を外(はず)しております: He/she is currently away
basic
Added 2026.1.7 21:35 · Revised 2026.2.23 23:09
01000/01062_tadaima