Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
即座 (そくざ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N1 Freq. Frequency Top 10,000 Meanings 1
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun
immediate ; instant ; on the spot
Describes an action or response that happens without delay, right then and there. Often used with の to modify nouns (即座の返事) or as an adverb with に (即座に答える).
ざ
の
判はん
断だん
が
求もと
め
られる
場ば
面めん
だっ
た
。
It was a situation that required an instant decision.
Written forms 即そく 座ざ Usage 99%
Standard kanji spelling; high-frequency in news and general use.
そくざ Usage 1%
Similar words 即そく 時じ 即時 is more formal and often used in official or legal contexts (e.g., 即時停戦 'immediate ceasefire'), while 即座 is common in everyday speech for quick personal reactions.
即そっ 刻こく 即刻 is an adverb meaning 'at once' or 'immediately', often with a sense of urgency or command (即刻やめなさい 'stop it right now'), whereas 即座 is more neutral and can be used descriptively.
Etymology Compound of 即 (soku, 'immediate') and 座 (za, 'seat; place'), literally 'on the spot'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the meaning has been stable in modern Japanese.