How to say "directly" in Japanese

• すぐJLPT N5approx.Common
  adverb, nounCovers the time sense: 'directly' meaning immediately or right away. Use it when something happens without delay, as in 'come directly' or 'directly after lunch'. It does not cover physical directness.
  彼かれは警官けいかんを見みるとすぐ、逃にげた。↗

  As soon as he saw a policeman, he ran away.
• じかにJLPT N3approx.Common
  adverbCovers directness of connection or contact: getting information firsthand or dealing with someone in person rather than through an intermediary. This is the word for 'directly' in the sense of without anything in between.
  あなたとじかに会あってじっくり話はなしたいことがあるのです。↗

  I have something to talk over with you, face to face.
• 一路いちろCommon
  adverbMeans heading straight for a destination, so it fits 'directly' only in the sense of going somewhere without detouring. It is really about setting off straight toward one goal, not about immediacy or personal contact.
• 直々じきじきCommon
  adverb, no-adjectiveCovers 'directly' in the sense of personally or in person, typically something done by someone themselves, such as a message or greeting delivered directly rather than through someone else. Not for time or straight-line movement.
  行いってじきじきに彼女かのじょに礼れいを言いいなさい。↗

  You had better go and thank her in person.
• すっとJLPT N4approx.Common
  adverb, suru verbA mimetic word for smooth, unhesitating movement, so it fits 'directly' when someone goes or leaves straight off without stopping. It can also suggest suddenness, and is less apt for abstract directness of contact.
  カタツムリがすっと角かどを出だした。↗

  The snail shot out its horns.

Choose 「すぐ」 for 'directly' meaning immediately, 「じかに」 or 直々 for direct person-to-person contact, and 「すっと」 or 一路 for straight, unswerving movement.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• すぐimmediately
• じかにdirectly
• 一路いちろstraight
• 直々じきじきin person
• すっとstraight
• ずかずかrudely (barging in)
• 正面切ってしょうめんきってopenly
• 正面からしょうめんから(confronting a problem, etc.) head-on
• まともにright (in front)
• 一足飛びにいっそくとびにin one go (i.e. skipping intermediate stages)
• ずけずけ(speaking) bluntly
• つけつけ(speaking) bluntly
• 真っ向からまっこうからhead-on
• その足でそのあしでstraight (from one place to another)
• 直ちにただちにdirectly (face, lead to, etc.)
• ひたとdirectly (e.g. staring)
• 親しくしたしくdirectly (experience)
• すぐとdirectly
• バシッと(answering a question) directly
• ずっとstraight