1.
about now; around this time
Refers to the approximate present time, often used to speculate about what is happening elsewhere at this moment.
今頃彼は空港だろう。
He's probably at the airport about now.
今頃の季節は桜がきれいだ。
The cherry blossoms are beautiful around this time of year.
日本は今頃もう朝になっているはずだ。
It should already be morning in Japan by now.
2.
at this late stage; only now
Used with a tone of reproach or exasperation to indicate that something is being done too late or should have been done earlier.
今頃言われても困る。
Even if you tell me now, it's too late.
今頃になって後悔しても遅い。
It's too late to have regrets at this point.
今頃気づくなんて、君らしいね。
Noticing only now — that's so like you.
Can function as both an adverb and a noun. When used with の, it modifies nouns: 今頃の時間 (around this time).
Sense 2 carries a critical or exasperated tone. The pattern 今頃になって... emphasizes that an action comes too late.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 今頃になって — at this late stage; only now
- 今頃の季節 — around this season
- 今頃はもう... — by now (something) should already...