What is the difference between "ただいま" and "ただ今"?

"ただいま" means "I'm home; I'm back" (N5), whereas "ただ今" represents "I'm home; right now; just now" (N3).

Kanji Homophone Battle

Pronunciation Trap: "ただいま (tadaima)"

Same sound, completely different Kanji! Choose the right conceptual writing.

Kanji Option A

ただいま (tadaima)

N5 / CEFR

Kanji Option B

ただいま (tadaima)

N3 / CEFR

In Japanese, many words share the exact same pronunciation "ただいま (tadaima)" but are written with different Kanji, changing the meaning entirely.

ただいま (Level: N5): Translates to "I'm home; I'm back" and is used when Said upon returning home or to a familiar place, often to people present. It literally means 'just now' or 'I am just now back'..
ただ今 (Level: N3): Maps to "I'm home; right now; just now" and carries the nuance of Commonly used as a greeting upon returning home, or to indicate 'right now' in formal contexts like announcements or apologies..

Mixing these up can easily result in unnatural writing. Look at the bilingual context cards below to master the conceptual boundaries!

Bilingual Context for "ただいま"

学校から帰って「ただいま」と言います。

I say "Tadaima" when I return home from school.

Bilingual Context for "ただ今"

ただ今、戻りました。

I'm back now. (or 'I've just returned.')

Which Kanji perfectly fits this blank space?

Which Kanji perfectly fits the blank: "学校から帰って「＿＿＿」と言います。" (Meaning: "I say "Tadaima" when I return home from school.")

🎉 Correct Answer!

Correct! "ただいま" is used for "I'm home; I'm back" in the context: "I say "Tadaima" when I return home from school.".