Translation guide
Expresses that something happened or was the case just a very short time before now. Japanese uses several time adverbs, with さっき being the most common in casual speech. The choice depends on formality, dialect, and nuance.
To say that something happened a very short time ago in everyday conversation.
The most common and natural way to say 'a moment ago' in casual speech. Used for events that happened just a few minutes ago.
さっき、友達から電話があった。
My friend called me a moment ago.
さっきまでここにいたんだけど。
He was here just a moment ago.
Emphasizes that something happened only a moment ago, even more immediate than さっき. Often used when the event is still relevant.
たった今、帰ってきたところです。
I just got home a moment ago.
A slightly more emphatic or colloquial variant of さっき, common in some regions or informal speech.
今さっき、そこで見かけたよ。
I saw him there just a moment ago.
To refer to a recent past event in polite or formal situations, such as business or service contexts.
The standard polite equivalent of さっき. Used in formal speech, business settings, and customer service.
先ほど、メールをお送りしました。
I sent you an email a moment ago.
先ほどは失礼いたしました。
I apologize for my rudeness a moment ago.
A formal, somewhat stiff word meaning 'a short while ago'. More common in written language or very formal speech.
To emphasize that an action was completed only moments ago, often using the ～たところだ pattern.
Attach to the past tense of a verb to mean 'just did something'. Very common and natural.
今、食べたところです。
I just ate a moment ago.
彼は出かけたところだ。
He left just a moment ago.
Similar to ～たところだ, but can imply 'only just' and sometimes carries a nuance of 'still fresh' or 'not long enough ago'.
日本に来たばかりです。
I just came to Japan a moment ago (and am still new).
Regional or very casual ways to say 'a moment ago', often heard in specific areas or among close friends.
A slightly old-fashioned or dialectal word (common in Kansai) meaning 'just now'. Still used in casual speech in some regions.
いましがた、そこにいたで。
He was there just a moment ago.
さっき is casual and used with friends, family, or in informal situations. 先ほど is the polite version, essential in business or when speaking to superiors. Using さっき in a formal context can sound rude.
さっき言ったでしょ！
I told you a moment ago! (casual)
先ほど申し上げた通りです。
As I mentioned a moment ago. (formal)
たった今 is very immediate and can sound dramatic if used too often. Reserve it for when you really want to stress that something happened only seconds ago.
先刻、承知した通りです。
As you were informed a moment ago.