すぐ vs 直ちに
Japanese word comparison
Listen to すぐ
Listen to 直ちに
| すぐ | 直ちに |
|---|---|
SOO-goo adverb | ただちに adverb |
| right away; immediately; without delay | immediately; at once; without delay |
How they differ
直ちに is more formal and often sounds firmer or more official than すぐ. It is common in instructions, announcements, warnings, and written Japanese, and it can feel more urgent or authoritative than the everyday すぐ.
When to use each
When to use すぐ: Use すぐ for everyday speech when you mean something happens right away in a natural, neutral way.
When to use 直ちに: Use 直ちに when you want a more formal, official, or strongly urgent tone, especially in writing or announcements.
Side-by-side examples
- すぐ来てください。
(Please come right away.) - 直ちに来てください。
(Please come at once.)
Register & nuance: 直ちに is more formal and authoritative; すぐ is neutral and common in daily conversation.