今頃

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 今頃 is read いまごろ and refers to an approximate time around now.
• Basic usage: It can mean “by now” when considering a current situation, or “around this time last year” in 去年の今頃.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Now versus around this time
  • 今 points to the present time; 今頃 allows a span around that time.