Translation guide
The English phrase 'as soon as possible' (ASAP) expresses urgency and a desire for something to happen without delay. In Japanese, the most natural equivalents depend on context, politeness, and the degree of urgency. Direct translations exist, but often softer or more indirect expressions are preferred in daily conversation.
できるだけ早くご返信ください。
Please reply as soon as possible.
Expressing that something should be done as soon as possible in a polite or neutral context, such as in business or with acquaintances.
A standard, polite way to say 'as soon as possible'. It literally means 'as early as one can'. Suitable for most situations.
できるだけ早くご返信ください。
Please reply as soon as possible.
Please come as soon as possible.
Similar to できるだけ早く, but slightly softer and more conversational. Often used in spoken Japanese.
なるべく早くお願いします。
Please do it as soon as possible.
A more formal and emphatic version of できるだけ早く. Often used in written business communication.
できる限り早く対応いたします。
We will handle it as soon as possible.
Conveying that something must be done immediately, with a sense of strong urgency or emergency.
A concise, strong word meaning 'urgently' or 'ASAP'. Common in business emails and spoken requests when time is critical.
至急ご連絡ください。
Please contact me as soon as possible.
至急お願いします。
Please do it urgently.
Means 'immediately' or 'without delay'. Slightly more formal than 至急, often used in official contexts.
早急に対処します。
We will deal with it immediately.
An intensified version of 至急, meaning 'as soon as humanly possible' or 'top priority'. Used in emergencies.
Telling a friend or family member to do something as soon as possible in a casual, everyday manner.
Works well in casual contexts too. Softens the request.
なるべく早く来てね。
Come as soon as you can, okay?
Still natural in casual speech, though slightly more formal than なるべく早く.
できるだけ早く返事ちょうだい。
Reply as soon as possible.
Literally 'hurry up', but can be used to mean 'as soon as possible' in casual commands.
急いで来て！
Come as soon as possible!
Politely asking someone to do something at their earliest convenience, without sounding pushy.
A very polite phrase meaning 'when you have a moment'. It implies 'as soon as possible' without direct urgency.
お手すきの際にご確認ください。
Please check it at your earliest convenience.
Means 'at your convenience'. Similar to お手すきの際に, but slightly more focused on the other person's schedule.
ご都合のよろしいときにご返信ください。
Please reply at your convenience.
Expressing that one action will occur immediately after another action or event.
Attached to the masu-stem of a verb, it means 'as soon as ~'. Very common in business and formal contexts.
準備ができ次第、ご連絡します。
I will contact you as soon as it's ready.
到着次第、お電話ください。
Please call as soon as you arrive.
A casual and versatile pattern meaning 'as soon as ~'. Used in everyday speech.
家に帰ったらすぐに電話するね。
I'll call you as soon as I get home.
Means 'at the same time as' or 'as soon as'. More literary or formal.
彼は到着すると同時に仕事を始めた。
He started working as soon as he arrived.
The phrase 'できるだけ早く' is safe, but directly translating 'as soon as possible' word-for-word as '可能な限り早く' (かのうなかぎりはやく) is overly stiff and rarely used in natural Japanese. Stick to the options above.
Both mean 'urgently', but 至急 is more common in everyday business, while 早急に is slightly more formal and often used in official announcements or written instructions.
大至急戻ってください。
Please come back immediately.