すかさず

す

か

さ

ず

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

adverb

without a moment's delay; immediately; promptly

usually written using kana alone

Describes acting right away, seizing an opportunity, or responding instantly without hesitation.

彼かれはすかさず質しつ問もんに答こたえた。

He answered the question without a moment's delay.

店てん員いんはすかさずおすすめ商しょう品ひんを紹しょう介かいした。

The clerk promptly introduced a recommended product.

Usage patterns

すかさず〈動どう詞し〉to do something without a moment's delay
彼かれはすかさず反はん論ろんした。
He shot back a counterargument without a moment's delay.
すかさず答こたえるto answer instantly
質しつ問もんにすかさず答こたえた。
She answered the question instantly.
すかさずツッコむto jump in with a quip/retort right on cue
友とも達だちのミスにすかさずツッコんだ。
He immediately teased his friend about the mistake.

Kanji

透transparent, permeate, filter

Related words

すぐにN5
すぐに is the general, everyday word for 'right away', while すかさず specifically stresses not missing a beat when reacting to something.
即そく座ざにN1
即座に is a slightly formal word for 'instantly', whereas すかさず has a more colloquial, quick-witted feel tied to seizing a moment.
即そっ刻こくN1
即刻 is a stiff, often official word for 'at once' (e.g. orders to act immediately), while すかさず describes a nimble personal reaction.

Written forms

すかさずUsage100%
Kana spelling is standard; usually written in kana.
透すかさず
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form; it is rarely used.

Etymology

Derived from the verb 透かす (to look through, to make transparent) in the negative continuative form 透かさず, literally 'without leaving a gap', which came to mean 'without delay'.