“ima sugu・sugu ni・tadachi ni”: Right Away / Immediately [JLPT N4]
Content by NTJ Kuma · Nihongo to Japan editorial team · Updated July 27, 2026
Comparing adverbs of immediate action
「ただちに避難してください」 — three ways to say “right away,” at different formality
An earthquake alarm sounds: 「ただちに高台へ避難してください」 (evacuate to high ground immediately) — 「今すぐ・すぐに・ただちに」 all mean “do it right away” (near-zero delay), but differ in formality: すぐに = everyday colloquial, 今すぐ = stressing “right now”, ただちに = formal, written, emergency announcements. The wrong register sounds off (telling a friend ただちに is like issuing a military order). This guide helps you pick the right “right away” by setting.
Core: all “immediately,” differing in formality
All three mean “no delay, act at once,” differing in register and strength:
- すぐに = right away (everyday, neutral): すぐに行くね (I'll go right away).
- 今すぐ = right now (stressing “this instant”): 今すぐ来て！ (come right now!).
- ただちに = immediately (formal, written, emergency): ただちに避難 (evacuate immediately).
Colloquial to formal: すぐに ＜ 今すぐ ＜ ただちに.
Formality and use
| Adverb | Formality・nuance | Example |
|---|---|---|
| すぐに | everyday, neutral | すぐに行く |
| 今すぐ | stressing “right now” | 今すぐ来て |
| ただちに | formal, written, emergency | ただちに中止 |
| 即座に | formal, “on the spot at once” | 即座に対応 |
Example sentences
- すぐに行くから、待ってて。(I'll go right away, wait for me.) — everyday
- 上司に急に呼ばれて、今すぐ会議室へ。(Summoned by my boss, off to the meeting room right now.) — stressing now
- 地震です。ただちに高台へ避難してください。(Earthquake. Evacuate to high ground immediately.) — emergency announcement
- クレームに即座に対応した。(I handled the complaint on the spot.) — formal “on the spot”
- 準備ができたら、すぐに始めましょう。(Once ready, let's start right away.) — everyday
⚠️ Easy traps to avoid
① Don't use 「ただちに」 in casual chat. It's too formal/written (emergency announcements, orders, official documents). Telling a friend 「ただちに来て」 sounds like a military order. For everyday “right away,” use すぐに／今すぐ.
② Pick the register by setting. Everyday conversation → すぐに (すぐ行く); stressing “right now” → 今すぐ; emergency/announcements/formal orders → ただちに. The right setting makes the tone natural.
③ 「今すぐの」「ただちにの」 are unnatural. These are adverbs, mostly modifying verbs directly (今すぐ行く, ただちに中止), rarely as 「〜の ＋ noun」. To modify a noun, phrase it differently.
🔄 Compare with similar forms: すぐに／今すぐ／ただちに／即座に
| Form | Nuance | Setting |
|---|---|---|
| すぐに | right away (everyday, neutral) | everyday conversation |
| 今すぐ | right now (stressing now) | colloquial, emphatic |
| ただちに | immediately (formal, emergency) | announcements, orders, writing |
| 即座に | on the spot at once (formal) | writing, business |
💡 Quick takeaway
This set of “right away” words means the same; picking the register matters most. Hold one line: casual chat → 「すぐに」 (すぐ行くね); to stress “right now, no delay” → 「今すぐ」 (今すぐやって); emergency broadcasts, formal orders, documents → 「ただちに」 (ただちに避難). Telling a friend 「ただちに」 sounds like a military order — very unnatural. Another word, 「即座に」, leans “on-the-spot, instant response” (即座に対応), also formal. Match the setting and your “right away” lands right.
❓ Common questions
Q: How do I pick すぐに / 今すぐ / ただちに?
By setting and formality: everyday conversation → すぐに (neutral, すぐに行く); to stress “now, at once, no delay” → 今すぐ (今すぐ来て); emergency broadcasts, formal orders, announcements, writing → ただちに (ただちに避難してください). In a line: friends → すぐに/今すぐ, formal/emergency → ただちに.
Q: 「ただちに」 and 「即座に」 are both formal — how do they differ?
Both formal, slightly different feel: 「ただちに」 stresses “without delay, immediately (start acting)” (ただちに中止 = stop immediately); 「即座に」 stresses “on the spot, instantly (respond/handle)” (質問に即座に答えた = answered on the spot). 「ただちに」 leans “do it at once,” 「即座に」 leans “respond on the spot.” Both are for formal, written settings.
🖊️ Practice Questions (5)
Q1. 「地震です。___高台へ避難してください。」(formal emergency broadcast)
(A) ただちに (B) そろそろ (C) わざわざ (D) たまに
Q2. 「___行くから、待ってて。」(I'll go right away) which is most natural in daily conversation?
(A) すぐに (B) ただちに (C) いずれ (D) そのうち
Q3. 「ただちに」が最も合う場面は?
(A) Formal / urgent announcements or instructions
(B) Casual chat among friends
(C) Acting coquettish
(D) Apologizing
Q4. 「今すぐ」の語感は?
(A) Emphasizes 「right now, this very moment」 (with urgency)
(B) After a while
(C) Occasionally
(D) Never
Q5. 最も書面・正式なのは?
(A) ただちに (B) すぐ (C) もうすぐ (D) そろそろ
Answer Explanations
1. (A) ただちに ── Emergency broadcasts use the most formal ただちに.
2. (A) すぐに ── Most natural in everyday conversation.
3. (A) ── ただちに = formal / urgent.
4. (A) ── 今すぐ = right now, this very moment.
5. (A) ただちに ── The most formal / written.