Japanese word

さっと

Pronunciation

Romajisatto

Meaning

  • adverbquickly

Example

窓をさっと開けます。mado o sa tto a ke ma su

I quickly open the window.

Illustration for さっと (quickly)

More examples

朝の支度をさっと済ませます。asa no shi taku o sa tto su ma se ma su

I quickly finish getting ready in the morning.

Core concept

Describes an action completed in a short burst, often with a light and smooth feel.

Common phrases

  • さっと開けるsa tto a ke ru

    open quickly

  • さっと片付けるsa tto kata zu ke ru

    tidy up quickly

  • さっと目を通すsa tto me o tō su

    quickly look over

Similar words

ぱっとpatto: It describes an action that happens suddenly and quickly, often with a noticeable change.
さっさとsassato: It describes doing something quickly without lingering or wasting time.
すぐにsuguni: It describes doing something immediately, with little or no delay.
てきぱきとtekipakito: It describes doing a task quickly and efficiently with organized movements.

Definition in Japanese

動作を短時間で軽やかに行うさま。dō sa o tan ji kan de karo ya ka ni okona u sa ma

Word origin

The native Japanese mimetic adverb さっと (satto) expresses a quick, light action, and its exact historical origin is uncertain.

Usage tips

  • In さっと目を通す (satto me o tōsu), the adverb describes scanning a text briefly rather than reading every detail.

Opposites

  • ゆっくりyukkurislowlyadverb

Word lists with this word