Japanese word

たちまち

Pronunciation

Romajitachimachi

Meaning

  • adverbin an instant

Example

強い雨がたちまちやみました。tsuyo i ame ga ta chi ma chi ya mi ma shi ta

The heavy rain stopped in an instant.

Illustration for たちまち (in an instant)

More examples

電車が来ると、駅のホームはたちまち人でいっぱいになりました。den sha ga ku ru to eki no hō mu wa ta chi ma chi hito de i ppa i ni na ri ma shi ta

When the train arrived, the station platform quickly filled with people.

Core concept

Shows that an event or change reaches its result with virtually no delay.

Common phrases

  • たちまち広がるta chi ma chi hiro ga ru

    spread instantly

  • たちまちなくなるta chi ma chi na ku na ru

    disappear in an instant

  • たちまち元気になるta chi ma chi gen ki ni na ru

    recover instantly

Similar words

急にkyūni: It describes a change that happens suddenly, without a gradual process.
すぐにsuguni: It shows that an action or event happens soon or without waiting.
たちどころにtachidokoroni: It describes a result that is achieved immediately, often after a problem is addressed.
あっという間にattoiumani: It describes something happening or changing within a very short period.

Definition in Japanese

ほとんど時間を置かずに、物事の状態が変わるさま。ho to n do ji kan o o ka zu ni mono goto no jō tai ga ka wa ru sa ma

Word origin

The adverb たちまち (tachimachi) is traditionally explained through 立ち待ち (tachimachi), a brief period spent standing and waiting.

Usage tips

  • たちまち (tachimachi) is useful for sudden changes, such as clouds clearing or a room becoming quiet in no time.

Other meanings

  • quicklyadverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word