今にも|いまにもimanimo[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. adverbat any moment (now); at any minute; on the verge of (doing); just about to
   トムは今いまにもここに来くるはずです。↗

   Tom should be here any minute.

   彼女かのじょは今いまにも卒倒そっとうしそうだった。↗

   She was on verge of fainting.

• SynonymそろそろNeutralColloquial; 'it's about time', as in 「そろそろ時間だ」 — used when the moment is due.
• RelatedまもなくNeutralMeans 'soon, right away', as in 「間もなく到着」; typical of announcements. 「今にも」 stresses the look of something on the verge of happening.
• RelatedほどなくWrittenWritten style meaning 'a short time later'; used mostly in narrating past events.
• RelatedそのうちNeutralPoints to an indefinite future, 'one of these days'; the time frame is far more distant than 「今にも」.
• RelatedやがてNeutralMeans 'before long, eventually', stressing that something arrives naturally in due course rather than being on the verge.
• Related今にいまにNeutralRefers to the near future — 'sooner or later' — as in 「今に分かる」 or 「今に見ていろ」; can also mean 'very soon'. 「今にも」 depicts the look of something about to happen.
• Related遠からずとおからずWrittenWritten style for 'in the near future'; often used in predictions.
• RelatedもうNeutralPrimarily 'already', but can also mean 'soon', as in 「もう来る」; a highly versatile word with many uses.
• Related近くちかくNeutralAs an adverb it means 'soon', as in 「近く完成する」; frequent in news reports.
• Related近々ちかぢかNeutralMeans 'soon, in the near future', as in 「近々発表」; leans formal and lacks the on-the-verge look of 「今にも」.
• RelatedもうすぐNeutralColloquial; 'almost, soon', as in 「もうすぐ終わる」. It stresses only that the time is near, without depicting the imminent look of 「今にも」.
• RelatedいくばくもなくWrittenWritten style meaning 'not long after'; found mainly in narrative prose.
• Related近いうちにちかいうちにNeutralMeans 'soon, in the near future', as in 「近いうちに雨が降る」 or 「近いうちに会おう」. 「今にも」 stresses the very next moment.
• Related追っ付けおっつけCasualColloquial for 'before long, in a while'; carries an old-fashioned flavor.
• Related不日ふじつWrittenWritten style meaning 'in a few days'; mostly seen in official documents.
• RelatedたちどころにWrittenWritten style for 'immediately, on the spot', as in 「たちどころに解決した」; stresses how quickly results appear.
• Related日ならずひならずWrittenWritten style meaning 'within a few days'; rarely used.

Use 「今にも」 when something looks on the verge of happening, often before 「そうだ」, as in 「今にも泣き出しそう」. For plain nearness in time pick 「もうすぐ」; for announcements 「間もなく」; for when the time is due 「そろそろ」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 係かかる用言ようげんの内容ないようはまだ起おきていないが、次つぎの瞬間しゅんかんあるいはとても短みじかい時間じかんの内うちに起おこすような様相ようそうを主語しゅごが示しめしていることを表あらわす。
2. （条件文じょうけんぶんなどで用もちいて、非ひ様相ようそうの意味いみで）本当ほんとうに今いま。