Translation guide
How to express 'immediately' in Japanese, covering time, physical proximity, and directness.
I'll do it immediately.
Come here right now.
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.
I'll be right back.
More formal and emphatic than すぐ. Often used in official announcements or written instructions.
Literally 'on the spot', implying an instant reaction. Slightly more emphatic than すぐ.
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.
Expressing physical or metaphorical directness, with nothing intervening.
Also used for physical proximity. すぐそこ means 'right there'.
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.
Expressing that one action happens immediately after another.
Pattern: Verb (dictionary form) + とすぐに. Means 'as soon as ~'.
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'.
Pattern: Verb (past plain) + 途端に. Emphasizes that something unexpected happened the moment an action was completed.
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.
Come right away. (casual)
Please come immediately. (formal)
I replied instantly.
直ちに can sound overly dramatic or stiff in casual conversation. Stick to すぐ for most daily situations.
直ちに避難してください。
Please evacuate immediately.
早速始めましょう。
Let's start right away.
直接彼に話してください。
Please speak to him directly.
Touch directly.
We will depart as soon as preparations are complete.
The moment I opened the door, a cat jumped out.