Japanese word

すぐ

Pronunciation

Romajisugu

Meaning

  • adverbright away

Example

すぐ帰ります。su gu kae ri ma su

I will go home right away.

Illustration for すぐ (right away)

More examples

宿題が終わったら、すぐに遊びます。shuku dai ga o wa tta ra su gu ni aso bi ma su

When I finish my homework, I will play right away.

Core concept

It presents something as close in time or path, whether it happens immediately or proceeds directly without a detour.

Common phrases

  • すぐに行くsu gu ni i ku

    go right away

  • すぐに返事するsu gu ni hen ji su ru

    reply right away

  • すぐ使うsu gu tsuka u

    use right away

Similar words

早速sassoku: It indicates that an action starts promptly after a decision, request, or opportunity.
じきにjikini: It indicates that something happens after only a short wait.

Definition in Japanese

時間や経路に隔たりを置かず、ただちに、または直接に行うさま。ji kan ya kei ro ni heda ta ri o o ka zu ta da chi ni ma ta wa choku setsu ni okona u sa ma

Word origin

The origin of the native Japanese adverb すぐ (sugu, "right away") is uncertain, but its established spelling 直ぐ (sugu, "straight; direct") preserves the connection between directness and immediacy.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, すぐ (sugu) can mean "soon" as well as "right away", so the exact timing depends on the context.

Other meanings

  • directlyadverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word