Translation guide
To express that something happens quickly and unexpectedly, Japanese uses adjectives like 突然の, adverbs like 突然 or いきなり, and verbs like 急に. The best choice depends on whether you are describing a noun, an action, or a change, and how formal or casual the situation is.
To say that something happens suddenly, without warning, or all at once.
The most common and neutral way to say 'suddenly'. Works in both spoken and written Japanese. Can be used for events, actions, and changes.
Suddenly, it started raining.
He suddenly left the room.
Very common in casual speech. Emphasizes the abruptness or quickness of a change. Slightly more conversational than 突然.
My stomach suddenly started hurting.
It suddenly got quiet.
Implies something happening without any prior notice or buildup, often with a nuance of being abrupt or rude. Common in casual conversation.
Can sound negative or imply lack of manners if used for someone's actions. Not suitable for formal writing.
I don't know what to do if you suddenly say something like that.
He suddenly burst into song.
Means 'unexpectedly' or 'all of a sudden'. Often used in literary or formal contexts. Less common in daily speech.
The door suddenly opened.
To modify a noun and say that something is sudden or unexpected.
The standard way to say 'a sudden (noun)'. Attach directly before the noun.
Sorry for the sudden visit.
Because of the sudden blackout, I couldn't see anything.
Used for sudden changes or events, often with a nuance of urgency. Common in daily conversation.
Something sudden came up and I can't go anymore.
Literary or formal adjective meaning 'unexpected'. Used in set phrases like 不意の出来事 (unexpected event).
I was surprised by the unexpected visitor.
To describe a sudden medical event or fatal incident.
To emphasize that something happened completely without warning or reason.
Literally 'one day, suddenly'. Used for life-changing events that happen out of the blue.
One day, out of the blue, I heard from him.
Means 'without any warning' or 'without prior notice'. More formal.
The earthquake happened without any warning.
Emphatic version of 前触れなく: 'without the slightest warning'.
突然 (totsuzen) is the most neutral and can be used in any situation. 急に (kyuu ni) feels more conversational and emphasizes the speed of change. いきなり (ikinari) implies a lack of warning and can carry a negative nuance of abruptness or rudeness. Use 突然 for formal writing, 急に for casual speech about changes, and いきなり when someone does something without any prior indication.
I got wet from the sudden rain.
It suddenly got cold, huh?
I was shocked when he suddenly yelled at me.
While 突然の is correct, learners sometimes try to use 突然 directly before a noun without の, which is ungrammatical. Always use 突然の + noun.
sudden news
All of a sudden, the lights went out.
He made a sudden decision.
Don't just show up out of nowhere!
有名な俳優が急死した。
A famous actor died suddenly.
急病で入院した。
I was hospitalized due to a sudden illness.
He disappeared without the slightest warning.