Translation guide
The English word 'soon' refers to something happening in the near future. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is すぐ (sugu), but the best choice depends on whether you mean 'immediately,' 'in a little while,' 'before long,' or 'as soon as possible.' Japanese also uses specific grammar patterns like 〜たらすぐに and 〜次第 to express 'as soon as X happens.'
Expressing that something will happen without delay, at once.
The most common and versatile word for 'soon' in the sense of 'immediately' or 'right away.' Can be used in both casual and formal contexts.
I'll be right back.
すぐに始めましょう。
Let's start right away.
A formal, often written word meaning 'immediately' or 'at once.' Used in official announcements, instructions, or emergencies.
直ちに避難してください。
Please evacuate immediately.
Implies doing something promptly, often with a sense of eagerness or without wasting time. Commonly used when you start something right after receiving it or hearing about it.
早速ですが、本題に入りましょう。
Without further ado, let's get down to business.
新しいゲームを早速やってみた。
I tried out the new game right away.
Expressing that something will happen in the near future, but not necessarily instantly.
Literally 'already soon,' this is the most natural way to say 'soon' when something is expected to happen shortly. Often used for events that are imminent.
もうすぐ春ですね。
Spring will be here soon, won't it?
電車がもうすぐ来ます。
The train will arrive soon.
A slightly more formal version of もうすぐ, often used in announcements or polite speech. It means 'shortly' or 'before long.'
Means 'in the near future' or 'one of these days.' It is less immediate than もうすぐ and often used for plans or vague promises.
近いうちにまた会いましょう。
Let's meet again soon.
Means 'sooner or later' or 'eventually.' It implies a more indefinite future than 近いうちに, and can sometimes be used to avoid commitment.
そのうち雨もやむでしょう。
The rain will stop soon enough.
Expressing urgency or a desire to do something without delay.
The standard phrase for 'as soon as possible.' It is polite and can be used in most situations.
できるだけ早くご返信ください。
Please reply as soon as possible.
Similar to できるだけ早く, but slightly softer. It means 'as early as possible' or 'if at all possible soon.'
なるべく早く来てください。
Please come as soon as you can.
A formal, business-like term meaning 'urgently' or 'as soon as possible.' Often used in written requests or official contexts.
早急に対応いたします。
We will deal with it as soon as possible.
Expressing that one action will happen immediately after another.
Attach to the past tense of a verb to mean 'as soon as (I) do X.' This is the most common conversational pattern.
家に帰ったらすぐに手を洗います。
As soon as I get home, I wash my hands.
Attach to the masu-stem of a verb to mean 'as soon as.' More formal than 〜たらすぐに, often used in business or official contexts.
準備ができ次第、出発します。
We will depart as soon as preparations are complete.
Attach to the dictionary form of a verb. Similar to 〜たらすぐに, but often implies a habitual or natural consequence.
彼は家に帰るとすぐにテレビをつける。
As soon as he gets home, he turns on the TV.
Emphasizing that one event happened immediately after another, often with surprise.
Used to express that something happened right after something else, often unexpectedly. Attach to the past tense of a verb.
彼は来たかと思うと、すぐに帰ってしまった。
No sooner had he arrived than he left again.
A literary pattern meaning 'as soon as.' Attach to the dictionary form of a verb. Often used in written narratives.
彼女はそれを見るや否や、泣き出した。
The moment she saw it, she burst into tears.
すぐ means 'immediately' or 'right away,' focusing on the lack of delay. もうすぐ means 'soon' in the sense of 'before long,' focusing on the nearness of an event. For example, すぐ行きます (I'll go right away) vs. もうすぐ行きます (I'll go soon, in a little while).
English speakers often default to すぐ for every 'soon,' but すぐ implies immediacy. If you mean 'in the near future' without urgency, use もうすぐ or 近いうちに instead. Saying すぐ結婚します (I'll get married right away) sounds odd unless you mean literally today or tomorrow.
すぐに電話します。
I'll call you soon.
If you mean right away. For 'in a little while,' use 後で電話します (あとででんわします).
もうすぐ春ですね。
Spring will be here soon.
仕事が終わったらすぐに行きます。
As soon as I finish work, I'll go.
間もなく電車が参ります。
The train will be arriving shortly.