Translation guide
Expresses doing something immediately, without delay. Japanese uses adverbs, set phrases, and verb forms to convey urgency or promptness.
The most common way to say 'right away' in everyday situations.
The most basic and versatile adverb for 'right away'. Can be used in casual and polite speech.
Slightly more emphatic than すぐ alone. Often used in written or formal contexts.
Formal, often used in official announcements or instructions. Implies no delay at all.
Emphasizes that the action should happen at this very moment, often with a sense of urgency.
Combines 'now' and 'immediately' for strong urgency. Common in requests and commands.
Please come right away.
Used when you want something done quickly, but not necessarily this second. Often in business or service contexts.
Conveys doing something immediately without thinking or pausing.
すぐ is the most common and casual. すぐに is slightly more formal and emphatic. 今すぐ adds 'now' for urgency. In many cases they are interchangeable, but 今すぐ is best when you want to stress immediacy.
Come right away. (casual)
We will respond right away.
直ちに避難してください。
Evacuate right away.
Let's start right now.
Even more emphatic than 今すぐ, but slightly less common in casual speech.
I want to leave right away if possible.
Implies doing something promptly, often with a positive connotation of getting started right away.
Let's get started right away.
Thank you for your prompt reply.
Literally 'as quickly as possible'. Polite and common in requests.
Please reply as soon as possible.
He answered right away.
Literally 'without hesitating'. Emphasizes the lack of delay due to indecision.
I acted right away.
Please come right away. (polite)
Come right now! (urgent)
直ちに is very formal and can sound stiff or overly dramatic in everyday conversation. Stick to すぐ or 今すぐ for most situations.