Translation guide
Expresses that one action happens immediately after another. Japanese uses several patterns depending on whether the action is completed, volitional, or a natural consequence.
To say that as soon as one thing finishes, another thing happens. The first action is typically a momentary or completed event.
A very common pattern. Attach to the dictionary form of a verb. Emphasizes that the second action occurs right after the first.
家に着くとすぐに雨が降り出した。
As soon as I got home, it started raining.
As soon as he saw it, he started laughing.
Used with the masu-stem of a verb. Often used in formal or business contexts to indicate that something will be done as soon as a condition is met. The second action is usually volitional.
準備ができ次第、出発します。
We will depart as soon as preparations are complete.
結果が分かり次第、ご連絡いたします。
We will contact you as soon as we know the results.
Attach to the past tense (ta-form) of a verb. Emphasizes that something unexpected or sudden happened the moment the first action was completed. Often used for surprising or involuntary events.
ドアを開けたとたん、猫が飛び出した。
As soon as I opened the door, the cat jumped out.
彼はそれを見たとたん、顔色が変わった。
As soon as he saw it, his face changed color.
Attach to the dictionary form of a verb. A literary or formal expression meaning 'no sooner had... than...'. The second clause often describes an action that happens almost simultaneously.
彼はそれを聞くや否や、部屋を飛び出した。
As soon as he heard that, he rushed out of the room.
To express that you will do something at the earliest possible time, often used in requests or promises.
A standard phrase meaning 'as soon as possible'. Polite and widely used.
できるだけ早く返事をください。
Please reply as soon as possible.
Similar to できるだけ早く, meaning 'as soon as possible' or 'as early as possible'. Slightly less formal.
なるべく早く来てください。
Please come as soon as possible.
A more formal adverb meaning 'immediately' or 'as soon as possible'. Common in business settings.
早急に対応いたします。
We will handle it as soon as possible.
To describe a situation where the second action begins immediately after the first action starts, often with a sense of simultaneity.
Used with the dictionary form and negative form of the same verb. Indicates that the second action occurs when the first action is barely started or not yet completed. Often translated as 'hardly... when...' or 'as soon as...'.
彼はベッドに入るか入らないかのうちに眠ってしまった。
He fell asleep as soon as he got into bed.
先生が来るか来ないかのうちに、生徒たちは静かになった。
As soon as the teacher arrived, the students became quiet.
Attach to the dictionary form of a verb. Indicates that the second action happens immediately after the first, often with a sense of surprise or an unusual pairing. The subject of both clauses is usually the same.
彼は部屋に入るなり、大声で叫んだ。
As soon as he entered the room, he shouted loudly.
To express that something did not happen as soon as expected, or to emphasize a delay.
Used after the past tense. Often in the pattern '〜かと思ったら' to express that just when you thought something had happened, something else occurred. Can also be used to express that something didn't happen as soon as expected.
やっと終わったかと思ったら、また新しい仕事が来た。
Just when I thought it was finally over, more work came in.
〜するとすぐに is the most general and can be used in both spoken and written Japanese. 〜次第 is formal and often used when the second action is a planned or volitional action. 〜たとたん emphasizes an unexpected or sudden result and is often used for uncontrollable events.
家に着くとすぐに電話した。
As soon as I got home, I called.
着き次第、電話します。
I will call as soon as I arrive.
家に着いたとたん、電話が鳴った。
As soon as I got home, the phone rang.
English 'as soon as' cannot be directly translated word-for-word into Japanese. Using expressions like 'すぐのように' is incorrect. Always use the appropriate grammatical pattern.
着いたらすぐに電話します。
I'll call you as soon as I arrive.
会議が終わるとすぐに、彼は出て行った。
As soon as the meeting ended, he left.