Meaning
now
In a sentence
Adesso vado a casa, sono molto stanco.
I'm going home now, I'm very tired.
Che cosa fai adesso?
What are you doing now?
Non posso parlare adesso, ti chiamo dopo.
I can't talk now, I'll call you later.
Usage notes
- Use 'adesso' for 'now' in general contexts; 'ora' can imply immediacy or contrast with past/future.
- Avoid overusing 'adesso' in formal writing; 'attualmente' or 'al momento' may fit better.
- No contractions—'adesso' stands alone, unlike 'ora' which can combine (e.g., 'or ora').