After all this time with 今更

今更(いまさら) is used when something comes up later than it should have. It often carries a negative or regretful connotation, implying that the action or realization is too late to be meaningful or effective.

It is frequently used in situations where someone is pointing out the futility of doing something late, such as:

• Apologizing after the damage is done.
• Starting to study right before an exam.
• Bringing up an issue long after it could have been resolved.

Example Sentences

• 今更(いまさら)謝(あやま)っても遅(おそ)いよ。
  It’s too late to apologize now.

• 今更(いまさら)勉強(べんきょう)しても試験(しけん)には間(ま)に合(あ)わない。
  Even if you study now, you won’t make it in time for the exam.

• 今更(いまさら)そんなことを言(い)われても困(こま)る。
  It’s troublesome for you to say that now.

Examples

By the way, who are you with 今更

During class, Makoto hears her cat meowing over the school’s intercom. After retrieving her cat, Makoto is confronted by another student. The student, also a witch, verbally reprimands Makoto over the ordeal. A few minutes into their conversation, Makoto asks the girl a question.

真琴(まこと):

「あの～ 今更(いまさら)なんですがお名前(なまえ)は…」

“Um... It's a bit late for this, but what's your name?”

In this situation, 今更(いまさら) is being used politely, without a negative tone.

See Also

• Reasoning with 〜のだ

It's too late to compliment my outfit with 今更

Ayumu heavily compliments Urushi on her looks wearing a sweater that’s a little too big. He quietly congratulates himself, and when Urushi questions him on it, Ayumu explains that he’s regretted his inability to find the words to compliment her outfit during their New Year’s shrine visit.

歩(あゆむ):

「今(いま)なら初詣(はつもうで)の時(とき)のもうまく言(い)えます。どうですか」

“I can properly say it now for the New Year's shrine visit. How about it?”

うるし:

「い　いいよ。　今(いま)さら…！！」

“It's okay. It's too late!”

Urushi uses 今更(いまさら) to expresses her feeling that Ayumu’s compliment would be too late to be meaningful, as the appropriate moment (during the New Year’s shrine visit) has already passed.