Translation guide
Expresses that one action or event occurs right after another. The most common patterns use 〜たあとですぐ or 〜てすぐ, but other structures like 〜次第, 〜や否や, and 〜なり convey a tighter, more immediate sequence.
The speaker wants to say that one action happens immediately after another, with no significant gap.
A straightforward, neutral pattern. 'すぐ' emphasizes the immediacy. Works in both spoken and written Japanese.
家に帰ったあとですぐシャワーを浴びた。
I took a shower immediately after I got home.
A very common, concise pattern. Often used when the subject is the same for both actions. Slightly more casual than 〜たあとですぐ.
起きてすぐコーヒーを飲む。
I drink coffee immediately after waking up.
More formal and precise than 〜てすぐ. '直後' literally means 'immediately after'. Common in news reports and written language.
会議が終わった直後に、彼は退社した。
He left the office immediately after the meeting ended.
The second action happens as soon as the first is completed, often implying the second action depends on the first. Used in formal or business contexts.
Polite and formal. Often used in business when the speaker will do something upon completion of another action. The second clause typically expresses the speaker's volition.
資料が届き次第、ご連絡いたします。
I will contact you as soon as the documents arrive.
Emphasizes that two actions occur almost simultaneously, often with a sense of urgency or surprise. Common in written narratives.
Literary and somewhat dramatic. The second clause is often an unexpected or involuntary action. Not used in casual speech.
彼は家に着くや否や、大雨が降り出した。
No sooner had he arrived home than it started pouring rain.
Similar to 〜や否や, but often implies the second action is surprising or abrupt. The subject of both clauses is usually the same. Literary.
彼女は手紙を読むなり、泣き出した。
The moment she read the letter, she burst into tears.
Describes something happening immediately after a specific time or event noun.
Used with nouns indicating events or time points. Neutral to formal.
地震の直後に津波が来た。
A tsunami came immediately after the earthquake.
More casual than 直後. 'すぐ' adds the sense of 'right away'.
授業のすぐあとに、友達とカフェに行った。
Right after class, I went to a cafe with a friend.
Both mean 'immediately after doing'. 〜てすぐ is more concise and common in casual speech. 〜たあとですぐ explicitly states 'after doing', which can be clearer when the sequence is important. They are often interchangeable.
食べてすぐ寝ると太るよ。
You'll gain weight if you sleep right after eating.
食べたあとですぐ寝ると太るよ。
You'll gain weight if you sleep immediately after eating.
When the subject of the first verb is different from the second, 〜てすぐ can sound unnatural. Use 〜たあとですぐ or 〜た直後に instead.
彼が帰ったあとですぐ、彼女が来た。
She came right after he left.