Translation guide
How to express that something will happen very soon, within a short time from now.
すぐ行きます。
I'll be there in a moment.
もうすぐ始まります。
It will start in a moment.
The speaker indicates that an action or event will occur after a very short time, typically within a few minutes.
The most common and versatile word for 'soon' or 'right away'. Can be used in both casual and polite contexts.
I'll go in a moment.
すぐ戻ります。
I'll be back in a moment.
Literally 'already soon', emphasizes that something is about to happen very shortly. Slightly more anticipatory than すぐ alone.
もうすぐ着きます。
We'll arrive in a moment.
もうすぐ始まります。
It will start in a moment.
A slightly formal expression meaning 'shortly' or 'in a moment'. Common in announcements and polite speech.
間もなく電車が参ります。
The train will arrive in a moment.
間もなく開演いたします。
The performance will begin in a moment.
Means 'soon' or 'before long'. Slightly more casual than 間もなく, but still somewhat neutral. Often used when the exact timing is not specified but expected soon.
じきに雨がやむでしょう。
The rain will stop in a moment.
じきに彼から連絡があるよ。
He'll contact you in a moment.
The speaker indicates that something will happen after a brief interval, but not necessarily within seconds or minutes.
Literally 'after a little while'. Used when the action will occur after some short, unspecified time.
しばらくしたら出かけましょう。
Let's go out in a moment (after a little while).
しばらくしたら戻ってきます。
I'll come back in a moment.
Similar to しばらくしたら, but slightly more casual. 'After a little time passes'.
少したったらまた電話するね。
I'll call you again in a moment.
Used in casual conversation to mean 'right away' or 'in a sec'.
Literally 'wait a little', but often used to mean 'just a moment' when asking someone to wait briefly.
ちょっと待って、今行くから。
Wait a moment, I'm coming now.
Emphasizes immediacy, similar to 'right away'. The に adds a sense of directness.
すぐに終わるよ。
I'll finish in a moment.
English 'in a moment' is often not translated word-for-word. Using 瞬間 (しゅんかん) or 一瞬 (いっしゅん) would mean 'in an instant' or 'for a moment', which is different. Stick to the natural expressions above.
すぐ is the most general 'soon'. もうすぐ adds a nuance of 'almost now' and is often used for anticipated events. 間もなく is formal and common in public announcements.