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咄嗟に (とっさに) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

とっさに

と

っ

さ

に

Common wordJLPTN1

Meanings

1

adverb

instantly; immediately; on the spur of the moment

usually written using kana alone

Describes a reaction or action taken without hesitation, often in response to a sudden situation. Can imply a reflexive or split-second decision.

とっさにブレーキを踏ふんだ。
I hit the brakes instantly.
彼かれはとっさに嘘うそをついて

Kanji

咄exclamation of surprise, cry out (in anger), scold
嗟lament, grieve, sigh

Similar words

すぐに
すぐに is a general word for 'soon' or 'right away', while とっさに emphasizes a reflexive, split-second reaction to an unexpected event.
即そく座ざに
即座に also means 'immediately', but is more formal and often used in deliberate, prompt actions rather than instinctive reactions.

Etymology

Derived from the noun 咄嗟 (とっさ), meaning 'a moment' or 'instant', combined with the particle に to form an adverbial phrase. The kanji are ateji and the word is usually written in kana.

しまっ

た

。

He lied on the spur of the moment.