Translation guide
Expresses that something happens soon after a previous event. The most common and natural ways in Japanese use adverbs like すぐに or その後すぐ, or the pattern 〜てすぐ.
The speaker wants to say that one action or event occurs a short time after another.
A very common adverb meaning 'immediately' or 'right away'. It can be used when the second action follows the first with little delay.
彼は家に着くと、すぐに寝た。
He arrived home and shortly thereafter went to bed.
Literally 'after that, immediately'. A clear and natural way to say 'shortly thereafter' when referring back to a previously mentioned event.
会議が終わった。その後すぐに彼は退社した。
The meeting ended. Shortly thereafter, he left the office.
Attach to the te-form of a verb to mean 'right after doing ~'. This pattern tightly links two actions and is very natural in spoken and written Japanese.
朝起きてすぐにコーヒーを飲む。
I drink coffee shortly after waking up in the morning.
Means 'soon' or 'before long'. Slightly more formal than すぐに, often used in announcements or written contexts.
A literary or formal expression meaning 'before long' or 'soon'. It is less common in everyday speech.
間もなく電車が参ります。
The train will arrive shortly.
程なくして雨が降り出した。
Shortly thereafter, it began to rain.