Translation guide
How to express giving an immediate reply in Japanese, covering quick responses, instant answers, and prompt replies in various contexts.
He replied to the email immediately.
More formal/literary. 即座に means 'instantly', 返答 is 'reply'. Suitable for business or written contexts.
He/she replied instantly to the question.
Casual spoken version of すぐに返事をする. Drops the particle に and uses the shorter する form.
I'll reply right away when I see your Line message.
Describing a reply that comes without any hesitation or thinking time.
Means 'to answer immediately' or 'to give an instant reply'. Often used when someone answers without pausing to think.
He answered the question instantly.
Literary/idiomatic: 'to answer without a hair's breadth of delay'. Very emphatic, used in narratives.
Expressing that a reply was given promptly, often in business or customer service contexts.
Referring to instant replies in messaging apps, chat, or social media.
返事 (へんじ) is the most general 'reply'. 返答 (へんとう) is slightly more formal, often for verbal answers. 返信 (へんしん) is specifically for written/digital replies like email or messages.
English 'immediate reply' can often be expressed with すぐに返事 or 即答, but in polite requests, 早急 (そうきゅう) or 迅速 (じんそく) are more natural than 即座.
He answered without a moment's hesitation.
Please give us a prompt reply.
即レスありがとう！
Thanks for the instant reply!