Translation guide
How to express 'immediately' in Japanese, covering time, physical proximity, and directness.
Expressing that something happens at once, without any waiting time.
The most common and versatile word for 'immediately'. Can be used in most situations.
I'll go immediately.
すぐ戻ります。
I'll be right back.
More formal and emphatic than すぐ. Often used in official announcements or written instructions.
直ちに避難してください。
Please evacuate immediately.
Literally 'on the spot', implying an instant reaction. Slightly more emphatic than すぐ.
彼は即座に答えた。
He answered immediately.
Implies doing something promptly, often with a sense of eagerness. Commonly used when you start something right after receiving information or an opportunity.
早速始めましょう。
Let's start right away.
Expressing physical or metaphorical directness, with nothing intervening.
Also used for physical proximity. すぐそこ means 'right there'.
駅はすぐそこです。
The station is right there (immediately nearby).
Means 'directly', without an intermediary. Used for contact, communication, etc.
Means 'directly' in a physical sense, often implying without a barrier or intermediary. Can be written 直に.
じかに触れる。
Touch directly.
Expressing that one action happens immediately after another.
Pattern: Verb (dictionary form) + とすぐに. Means 'as soon as ~'.
家に着くとすぐに雨が降り出した。
As soon as I got home, it started raining.
Pattern: Verb (masu-stem) + 次第. Formal, often used in business contexts. Implies 'as soon as something is ready/done'.
準備ができ次第、出発します。
We will depart as soon as preparations are complete.
Pattern: Verb (past plain) + 途端に. Emphasizes that something unexpected happened the moment an action was completed.
ドアを開けた途端に猫が飛び出した。
The moment I opened the door, a cat jumped out.
すぐ is the default for everyday 'immediately'. 直ちに is formal and often used in warnings or commands. 即座に emphasizes an instant, reflexive reaction.
すぐ来て。
Come right away. (casual)
直ちに来てください。
Please come immediately. (formal)
即座に返事をした。
I replied instantly.
直ちに can sound overly dramatic or stiff in casual conversation. Stick to すぐ for most daily situations.
直接彼に話してください。
Please speak to him directly.