即
Meaning: Instantly — used as a prefix or standalone word to emphasise doing something immediately without hesitation.
In slang, 即 functions as a punchy prefix or standalone intensifier meaning 'without a moment's delay.' Common compounds include 即買い (instant buy), 即ブロ (instant block), 即レス (instant reply), and 即決 (snap decision). As a standalone reaction, 即 conveys that the decision or action was so obvious it required zero deliberation. Popular in online shopping culture and social media.
Examples
- このスニーカー見た瞬間即買いした。 看到这双运动鞋的瞬间就秒买了。En cuanto vi estas zapatillas, las compré al instante.이 스니커즈 보자마자 즉구매했어.
- 変なDM来たから即ブロした。 收到奇怪的私信立刻秒拉黑。Me llegó un mensaje raro y lo bloqueé al instante.이상한 DM 와서 즉차단했어.
- 推しのグッズは即ポチ一択でしょ。 推的周边当然是秒下单一个选择吧。El merchandising de mi oshi es compra instantánea, no hay más que hablar.최애 굿즈는 즉포치(바로 클릭) 일택이지.
Pronunciation
/so.ku/
Usage Guide
Context: social media, friends, online shopping
Tone: decisive, emphatic
✓ Do Say
- このセール、即買いでしょ。 (This sale is an instant buy, right?)这个打折,秒买吧。(这个促销,必须秒杀吧。)Con estas rebajas, compra instantánea, ¿no? (This sale is an instant buy, right?)이 세일, 즉구매지. (이 세일은 당연히 바로 사야지.)
- 即レスありがとう、助かった。 (Thanks for the instant reply, that helped.)谢谢秒回,帮大忙了。(谢谢秒回复,帮了大忙。)Gracias por responder al instante, me has salvado. (Thanks for the instant reply, that helped.)즉답 고마워, 덕분에 살았어. (바로 답해줘서 고마워, 덕분에 됐어.)
✗ Don't Say
- ビジネスメールで「即」は砕けすぎ (Using soku as a prefix in business emails is too casual — use 直ちに or 即座に instead)商务邮件中用「即」做前缀太随便(在商务邮件中用即做前缀太口语化——应该用直ちに或即座に代替)Usar 即 como prefijo en correos de empresa es demasiado coloquial — mejor usar 直ちに o 即座に (Using soku as a prefix in business emails is too casual — use 直ちに or 即座に instead)비즈니스 메일에서 「即」는 너무 격식 없음 (비즈니스 이메일에서 接頭어로 即를 쓰면 너무 캐주얼하다 — 直ちに나 即座に를 사용하자)
Common Mistakes
- Not knowing common compounds: 即買い (buy), 即ブロ (block), 即レス (reply), 即フォロ (follow)
- Using 即 in formal writing — it is casual slang, not the same as the formal 即座に
Origin & History
From the kanji 即 meaning 'immediate/instant,' used in classical Japanese and Chinese compounds. The slang prefix usage became popular in the 2000s-2010s internet culture, especially in online shopping and social media contexts.
Cultural Context
Era: 2000s-2010s internet and shopping culture
Generation: Teens to 30s
Social background: Universal casual
Regional notes: Used across Japan. Especially common in online shopping, social media, and gaming contexts where speed of decision is valued.
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