すぐ

• Reading: すぐ
• Romaji: sugu
• Formation: すぐ（に） + Verb / すぐ + Location expression

Meaning

An adverb expressing minimal temporal or physical distance, meaning 'immediately,' 'right away,' or 'right nearby.' It indicates that something happens without delay or is located very close.

すぐ has two core usages: temporal and spatial. Temporally, it means 'immediately' or 'at once,' indicating that an action happens without delay after a trigger event or request. Spatially, it means 'right nearby' or 'just around the corner.' The form すぐに is largely interchangeable with すぐ in temporal contexts but sounds slightly more formal. すぐ can also modify adjectives and verbs directly. Compared to もうすぐ (very soon, almost), plain すぐ implies no waiting period at all. Learners sometimes confuse すぐ with 早く, but 早く emphasises speed of action while すぐ emphasises promptness or proximity.

Examples

1. 電話が来たら、すぐに折り返します。 If I get a call, I'll call back right away.
2. 駅を出たら、すぐ右にコンビニがあります。 When you exit the station, there's a convenience store right to the right.
3. 薬を飲んだら、すぐ効き始めた。 After taking the medicine, it started working immediately.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: direct

Do Say

• すぐ戻りますので、少々お待ちください。
• 問題が起きたら、すぐに報告してください。
• 郵便局は銀行のすぐ隣にあります。

Don't Say

• すぐ来週会議がある。(Using すぐ for an event already scheduled next week — すぐ implies immediacy, not a near-future plan; use 来週 alone or もうすぐ) → もうすぐ来週の会議がある。
• すぐゆっくり食べた。(Using すぐ with ゆっくり — 'immediately slowly' is contradictory) → すぐに食べ始めた。

Origin & History

From classical Japanese すぐ, related to the adjective 直ぐ meaning 'straight' or 'direct.' The sense of immediacy derives from the idea of a straight, unobstructed path in time or space.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal