直ぐ

Let's talk about the Japanese adverb 直ぐ (sugu). You'll hear and use this a lot. It means "immediately," "at once," or "right away." It's a really useful word for talking about things that happen without delay.

Think about all the times in English you say "I'll do it right away," or "He left immediately." 直ぐ (sugu) covers all those situations. It emphasizes speed and the lack of a gap between one action or event and the next. It's a straightforward word, but understanding its nuances will make your Japanese sound much more natural.

Meaning

直ぐ (sugu) means immediately, at once, right away, or without delay. It shows that an action or event will happen very soon or has just happened.

§ When to Use 直ぐ (sugu)

You use 直ぐ (sugu) when you want to express that something is happening in a very short time frame. It can refer to future actions that will be done promptly, or past actions that happened right after something else. It's about immediacy.

• When promising to do something quickly:

  直ぐ行きます。
  I'll go right away.

• When describing an event that happened without delay:

  彼は家に着くと直ぐ寝た。
  As soon as he got home, he went to sleep immediately.

• When something is about to happen very soon:

  電車は直ぐ来るでしょう。
  The train will probably come soon.

Another common use is with conditional phrases, like 「～たら直ぐ」 (tara sugu) or 「～と直ぐ」 (to sugu), meaning "as soon as X happens, Y immediately follows." This construction is very useful for linking events that occur one right after the other.

You'll find 直ぐ (sugu) in both formal and casual conversations. It's a versatile word that conveys a sense of urgency or rapid succession. Pay attention to how native speakers use it in different contexts, and you'll quickly get a feel for its natural usage.

§ Common Phrases with 直ぐ (sugu)

Here are some everyday phrases where 直ぐ (sugu) is essential:

• 直ぐ分かる (sugu wakaru): To understand immediately; to find out right away.

  説明すれば直ぐ分かります。
  If I explain, you'll understand immediately.

• 直ぐできる (sugu dekiru): To be able to do immediately; to be ready soon.

  料理は直ぐできますよ。
  The food will be ready soon.

• 直ぐそこ (sugu soko): Right there; very close.

  駅は直ぐそこです。
  The station is right there.

Mastering 直ぐ (sugu) will significantly improve your ability to express timely actions and reactions in Japanese. Practice using it in various sentences, and you'll soon find it becoming a natural part of your vocabulary.

§ Basic Usage of 直ぐ (sugu)

直ぐ (sugu) means "immediately" or "at once." It's an adverb, which means it modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. It indicates that something will happen without delay or very soon after a trigger event.

Japanese Word

直ぐ (sugu)

Meaning

Immediately; at once, without delay.

§ Using 直ぐ with Verbs

When using 直ぐ with verbs, it typically comes before the verb it modifies. This is a common pattern for adverbs in Japanese. It tells you that the action of the verb will happen very soon.

Translation hint: She will come immediately.

Translation hint: I will go right away.

§ Using 直ぐ with Actions/Events

You can also use 直ぐ to describe something that happens immediately after another event. In this case, you often see it paired with the -たら (tara) form or the -てから (te kara) form, which indicate that one action follows another.

Translation hint: When I arrive home, I will contact you immediately.

Translation hint: After eating, I will go to sleep right away.

§ Common Phrases with 直ぐ

You'll often hear 直ぐ in specific phrases. Here are a few examples that are very common in daily Japanese conversation.

• 直ぐに (sugu ni): While 直ぐ is an adverb and can stand alone, adding に (ni) after it is also very common. It doesn't change the meaning significantly; it just adds a slight nuance, perhaps making it feel a little more formal or emphatic in some contexts. You can often use them interchangeably.

  彼女は直ぐに帰ります。

  Translation hint: She will return immediately.

• 直ぐ近く (sugu chikaku): This phrase means "very close by" or "right near." Here, 直ぐ modifies the adjective 近く (chikaku - near/close) to emphasize the proximity.

  駅はここから直ぐ近くです。

  Translation hint: The station is very close from here.

§ Important Note on Nuance

While 直ぐ means "immediately," the exact timing can sometimes be flexible depending on the context. It implies "as soon as possible" or "without unnecessary delay" rather than a strictly instantaneous action. For example, if someone says they'll do something 直ぐ, it means they'll prioritize it and do it very soon, but it might not literally be in the next second.