1.
at this very moment; right now
Emphasizes that something is happening precisely at the present moment. Stronger and more dramatic than 今 alone.
今まさに出発するところだ。
I'm just about to leave right now.
今まさに世界は大きな転換期を迎えている。
The world is at this very moment entering a major turning point.
彼は今まさに人生で最も大切な決断を迫られている。
He is at this very moment being forced to make the most important decision of his life.
2.
just about to; on the verge of
Indicates that something is on the brink of happening. Often used with ～ようとしている or ～するところ to express imminent action.
今まさに会議が始まろうとしている。
The meeting is just about to begin.
太陽が今まさに沈もうとしていた。
The sun was just about to set.
嵐が今まさに上陸しようとしている。
The storm is just about to make landfall.
USAGE:
Combines 今 (now) with まさに (precisely, exactly) for strong temporal emphasis. Often appears in news reports and dramatic narration. The expression highlights urgency or the critical nature of the present moment.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 今まさに～ようとしている (is just about to ~)
- 今まさに～ところだ (is right in the middle of ~)
- 今まさに～している (is doing ~ at this very moment)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- ちょうど今: just now — neutral timing, less dramatic than 今まさに
- まさに: precisely, exactly — can be used without 今 for non-temporal emphasis