即そく席せき

そ

く

せ

き

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun

impromptu; improvised; off-the-cuff

Describes something done or made on the spot without preparation, such as a speech, performance, or solution.

彼かれは即そく席せきの

スピーチ

を

頼たの

ま

れ

た

。

He was asked to give an impromptu speech.

即そく席せきで料りょう理りを作つくってくれた。

They whipped up a meal on the spot for me.

2

noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun

instant; quick-prepare

Used for food or products that can be prepared quickly, especially instant noodles, soup, or mixes.

即そく席せきラーメンにお湯ゆを注そそぐ。
Pour hot water over the instant ramen.

Usage patterns

即そく席せきの〈物もの〉an impromptu ~ (speech, performance, etc.)
会かい議ぎで即そく席せきのスピーチを頼たのまれた。
I was asked to give an impromptu speech at the meeting.
即そく席せきで〈動どう詞し〉to do something on the spot, without preparation
彼かれは即そく席せきで歌うたを作つくった。
He made up a song on the spot.

Kanji

即instant, namely, as is
席seat, mat, occasion

Related words

即そっ興きょう sense 1
即興 refers specifically to artistic or performance improvisation, while 即席 covers any on-the-spot action, from speeches to quick-made food.
インスタント sense 2
インスタント is a loanword used almost exclusively for instant food and drink, while 即席 is a native word covering the same idea plus impromptu actions.
アドリブ sense 1
アドリブ is a loanword for unscripted, spontaneous remarks or actions, while 即席 is broader and can also describe quick-prepared items.
速そく成せい sense 2
速成 emphasizes something made or trained quickly through a shortened process, whereas 即席 stresses that it is ready instantly with no prior preparation.

Opposites

本ほん格かく的てきN2
本格的 describes something done properly and thoroughly, the opposite of 即席's quick, improvised or instant nature.

Don't confuse with

即そっ決けつ
即決 means an immediate decision, while 即席 describes something improvised or quickly prepared; the shared 即 kanji can mislead learners.
即そく座ざN1
即座 describes an instant reaction or decision, while 即席 describes something improvised or instant like instant noodles or an impromptu speech, not a quick response.

Word family

即そく席せきに
impromptu; on the spot; off the cuff; ad lib
即そく席せきめん
instant noodles
即そく席せき料りょう理り
quickly prepared meal; instant dish
即そく席せき食しょく品ひん
convenience food; instant food

Etymology

Compound of 即 (immediate, on the spot) and 席 (seat, occasion). The meaning 'instant (food)' developed from the idea of something prepared right at the moment of need.

即そく席せきラーメン

instant noodles; instant ramen