Translation guide
Expresses that one event occurs immediately after another, with no significant gap in time.
To say that something happens right after another action or event, often in a sequence.
Used after the te-form of a verb to mean 'right after doing V'. Very common and natural.
家に帰ってすぐシャワーを浴びた。
I took a shower right after I got home.
Literally 'immediately after V'. Slightly more formal than すぐ, often used in written or formal contexts.
To indicate that something happens immediately after a specific time or event noun.
Used with a noun to mean 'right after N'. Very common.
夕食のすぐ後に散歩に行った。
I went for a walk right after dinner.
More formal than すぐ後, often used in news or reports.
To refer to something happening immediately after the current moment or a mentioned point.
Means 'right after that'. Natural in conversation.
彼は謝った。そのすぐ後に笑い出した。
He apologized. Right after that, he burst out laughing.
すぐ is the most versatile and casual. 直後 is more formal and often used with nouns or in writing. とたん emphasizes a sudden, often unexpected event right after the action.
食べてすぐ出かけた。
I went out right after eating.
食べた直後に出かけた。
I went out immediately after eating. (more formal)
食べたとたんにお腹が痛くなった。
The moment I ate, my stomach started hurting.
これが終わったらすぐにやります。
I'll do it right after I finish this.
映画のすぐ後にコーヒーを飲みに行った。
Right after the movie, we went for coffee.
He left the office right after the meeting ended.
Emphasizes that something unexpected or sudden happened the moment the first action was completed. Often used for surprising or involuntary events.
ドアを開けたとたん、猫が飛び出した。
The moment I opened the door, the cat jumped out.
A literary or formal expression meaning 'as soon as'. Used in writing or formal speech.
彼は家に着くや否や、また出かけた。
As soon as he arrived home, he went out again.
A tsunami warning was issued right after the earthquake.
Can mean 'right after' when context makes the sequence clear, but more generally means 'immediately' or 'soon'.
終わったらすぐに電話します。
I'll call you right after I finish.
すぐ is an adverb, so it cannot directly follow a noun. Use のすぐ後 or の直後 instead.
すぐ is an adverb, so it cannot directly follow a noun. Use のすぐ後 or の直後 instead.