Translation guide
Expresses doing something immediately, without delay. Japanese uses adverbs, set phrases, and verb forms to convey urgency or promptness.
The most common way to say 'right away' in everyday situations.
The most basic and versatile adverb for 'right away'. Can be used in casual and polite speech.
I'll go right away.
すぐ戻ります。
I'll be right back.
Slightly more emphatic than すぐ alone. Often used in written or formal contexts.
すぐに対応します。
We will respond right away.
Formal, often used in official announcements or instructions. Implies no delay at all.
直ちに避難してください。
Evacuate right away.
Emphasizes that the action should happen at this very moment, often with a sense of urgency.
Combines 'now' and 'immediately' for strong urgency. Common in requests and commands.
今すぐ来てください。
Please come right away.
今すぐ始めよう。
Let's start right now.
Even more emphatic than 今すぐ, but slightly less common in casual speech.
今すぐにでも出発したい。
I want to leave right away if possible.
Used when you want something done quickly, but not necessarily this second. Often in business or service contexts.
Implies doing something promptly, often with a positive connotation of getting started right away.
早速ですが、始めましょう。
Let's get started right away.
早速のご返信ありがとうございます。
Thank you for your prompt reply.
Literally 'as quickly as possible'. Polite and common in requests.
できるだけ早くお返事ください。
Please reply as soon as possible.
Conveys doing something immediately without thinking or pausing.
Means 'instantly' or 'on the spot'. Often used in narratives or formal descriptions.
彼は即座に答えた。
He answered right away.
Literally 'without hesitating'. Emphasizes the lack of delay due to indecision.
ためらわずに行動した。
I acted right away.
すぐ is the most common and casual. すぐに is slightly more formal and emphatic. 今すぐ adds 'now' for urgency. In many cases they are interchangeable, but 今すぐ is best when you want to stress immediacy.
すぐ来て。
Come right away. (casual)
すぐに来てください。
Please come right away. (polite)
今すぐ来て！
Come right now! (urgent)
直ちに is very formal and can sound stiff or overly dramatic in everyday conversation. Stick to すぐ or 今すぐ for most situations.