How to say "immediate" in Japanese

• 直接ちょくせつJLPT N3approx.Common
  na-adjective, no-adjective, adverbCovers the sense of 'immediate' meaning direct and personal, with no intermediary. It is the word for firsthand, face-to-face dealings or a direct link between two things, not for speed or urgency.
  彼女かのじょに直接ちょくせつ言いったらどうですか。↗

  Why don't you tell her directly?
• 即座そくざCommon
  no-adjectiveCovers 'immediate' in the sense of instant and on the spot: a reply, decision, or reaction made right there without delay. It carries a strong nuance of something happening impromptu, in that very moment.
  「今いま、行動こうどうを起おこせ」という、それが伝つたえる実際的じっさいてきな意味いみに加くわえて、即座そくざの行動こうどうがなぜ重要じゅうようであるかという多おおくの理由りゆうをも、言外げんがいに示唆しさしていたのであった。↗

  "Act now!" he said, and in addition to his obvious meaning, he hinted that there were number of other important reasons why immediate action was needed.
• 早急そうきゅうJLPT N1approx.Common
  na-adjective, no-adjectiveCovers 'immediate' as prompt and quick handling of a matter. It is a natural choice for speed of action on a task or request, as in dealing with something without delay, and often carries a tone of needing brisk attention.
  １月がつ２０日にち（月曜日げつようび）の午前中ごぜんちゅうに最終さいしゅうの議事ぎじ事項じこうを出だしますので、早急さっきゅうにお返事へんじを下ください。↗

  We'll release the final agenda on the morning of Monday, January 20, so please reply quickly.
• 即時そくじCommon
  no-adjective, adverbCovers 'immediate' as prompt and done in real time, with no time lag between cause and effect. It suits matters executed or processed the moment they arise, and can also serve as a modifier for such prompt action.
  彼かれは即時そくじ断行だんこうを強調きょうちょうした。↗

  He put emphasis on the necessity for immediate action.
• 至急しきゅうJLPT N2approx.Common
  no-adjectiveCovers 'immediate' in the sense of urgent and pressing. It is really about the need for haste — something that must be done as soon as possible — so for neutral 'immediate' in other senses it is seldom the word you want.
  彼女かのじょは私に至急しきゅう電報でんぽうを打うってきた。↗

  She sent me an urgent telegram.

Use 直接 for direct, firsthand contact; 即座 for instant, on-the-spot response; 早急 and 即時 for promptness, the latter with a real-time nuance; and 至急 for urgency and pressing speed.

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

• 直接ちょくせつdirect
• 即座そくざimmediate
• 早急そうきゅうimmediate
• 即時そくじprompt
• 至急しきゅうurgent
• にわかsudden
• てきめんimmediate (effect, result, etc.)
• イミディエイトimmediate
• 即値そくちimmediate
• 速急そっきゅうimmediate
• 電撃的でんげきてきsudden
• 目先めさきimmediate (e.g. interests)
• 当座とうざimmediate
• 目の前めのまえimmediate