Translation guide
How to express that something happens immediately, without delay, or in a very short time.
The action occurs right away, with no gap in time.
The action will happen soon, within moments.
One action follows another immediately.
Pattern: Verb (dictionary form) + とすぐに. Means 'as soon as ~, immediately'.
家に着くとすぐに雨が降り出した。
As soon as I got home, it started raining in an instant.
すぐに is the safest choice for 'immediately' in daily conversation. 即座に implies a reflexive, instant reaction and is more formal. たちまち is used for sudden changes in state, often with a sense of surprise.
すぐに来てください。
Please come right away.
即座に返答した。
He responded instantly.
火はたちまち広がった。
The fire spread in an instant.
彼はすぐに返事をくれた。
He replied in an instant.
Emphasizes instantaneous reaction, often used in formal or written contexts.
彼は即座に決断した。
He made a decision in an instant.
Describes something happening quickly and often unexpectedly, like a sudden change. Common in narratives.
空がたちまち暗くなった。
The sky darkened in an instant.
Literally 'in a blink', emphasizes extreme speed. Often used in technical or dramatic descriptions.
コンピューターが瞬時にデータを処理する。
The computer processes data in an instant.
Means 'soon' or 'in a moment'. Very common in everyday speech.
もうすぐ着きます。
We'll arrive in an instant.
Polite and formal way to say 'shortly' or 'in a moment'. Often used in announcements.
間もなく電車が参ります。
The train will arrive in an instant.
Literally 'in the time it takes to say ah', meaning 'in the blink of an eye'. Casual and vivid.
あっという間に食べ終わった。
He finished eating in an instant.
Formal/literary pattern: Verb (dictionary form) + や否や. Emphasizes immediate succession.
彼はそれを見るや否や逃げ出した。
The moment he saw it, he ran away in an instant.