すぐ vs すぐさま
Japanese word comparison
Listen to すぐ
Listen to すぐさま
| すぐ | すぐさま |
|---|---|
SOO-goo adverb | すぐさま adverb |
| right away; immediately; without delay | immediately; without a moment’s delay |
How they differ
すぐさま is very close in meaning to すぐ, but it feels more literary, dramatic, or emphatic. It often adds a stronger sense of instant action than the plain, neutral すぐ.
When to use each
When to use すぐ: Use すぐ in ordinary conversation and plain descriptions of immediate action.
When to use すぐさま: Use すぐさま when you want a slightly dramatic or vivid tone, especially in storytelling or writing.
Side-by-side examples
- 彼はすぐ電話した。
(He called right away.) - 彼はすぐさま電話した。
(He called immediately.)
Register & nuance: すぐさま is more literary and emphatic; すぐ is neutral and more broadly used.