さっと・颯とsatto[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. adverbquickly (esp. actions)
   彼かれは教室きょうしつをさっと抜け出ぬけだした。↗

   He slipped out of the classroom.
2. adverbsuddenly (esp. wind, rain, etc.)
   すばらしい景色けしきがさっと目めの前まえに現あらわれた。↗

   A glorious sight burst on our view.

• SynonymさっさとNeutralDoing something without dallying, briskly getting it done, as in 「さっさと帰る」; 「さっと」 focuses on the action itself being over in a flash.
• SynonymパッとNeutralIn a flash; often for momentary changes in light or a scene, as in 「パッと明るくなる」, also for being conspicuous; 「さっと」 stresses quick action or sudden wind and rain.
• SynonymすっとNeutralMoving or changing lightly and smoothly, as in 「すっと立つ」; it can also describe feeling refreshed. 「さっと」 puts more emphasis on speed.
• SynonymにわかにWrittenSuddenly and unexpectedly, as in 「にわかに曇る」; written/formal. Close to the sense of 「さっと」 for wind or rain springing up suddenly.
• SynonymたちまちNeutralIn an instant, at once reaching a state, as in 「たちまち売り切れる」; the focus is on how fast the result comes, while 「さっと」 focuses on the action.
• Synonym急にきゅうにNeutralSuddenly, all of a sudden, as in 「急に雨が降る」; very common in daily speech. 「さっと」 adds a picture of swift movement beyond mere suddenness.
• SynonymつとWrittenMaking a sudden, swift movement, as in 「つと立ち上がる」; dated and written/formal in flavor, and it also has a sense of staying perfectly still.
• SynonymつっとNeutralMoving quickly and smoothly, as in 「つっと前へ出る」; fairly rare, whereas 「さっと」 is more common and covers a wider range of uses.
• SynonymばっとCasualSuddenly and forcefully, with real momentum, as in 「ばっと飛び出す」; strongly colloquial. 「さっと」 stresses quick, crisp movement and rarely the burst of force.
• SynonymついとWrittenA light, sudden little movement, as in 「ついと横を向く」; dated and written/formal. In everyday speech 「さっと」 or 「すっと」 is more usual.
• Related早々そうそうNeutralJust after something happens, or early on, as in 「来て早々」「早々に引き上げる」; the point is earliness in time, while 「さっと」 is about speed of action.
• Related早くはやくNeutralThe all-purpose word for early or fast, as in 「早く来て」; 「さっと」 depicts an action, change, or wind and rain happening in a flash, as in 「顔色がさっと変わる」.
• Relatedいち早くいちはやくNeutralStresses being ahead of others, as in 「いち早く駆けつける」; 「さっと」 depicts swift action or sudden wind and rain, with no idea of being first.
• RelatedみるみるNeutralWatching something change rapidly before your eyes, as in 「見る見る大きくなる」; used for changes of state, while 「さっと」 is mostly for actions.
• Related急遽きゅうきょWrittenHurriedly at short notice because of an unexpected situation, as in 「急遽中止」; written/formal. 「さっと」 describes quick action, not a last-minute change of plan.
• Related早速さっそくNeutralGetting started or happening right away, as in 「早速始めよう」; the point is the short time gap, while 「さっと」 is about the action being quick.
• Related迅速じんそくWrittenA formal na-adjective for swiftness and promptness, as in 「迅速な対応」; it typically modifies handling or action in general, not a single quick motion like 「さっと」.
• Related至急しきゅうWrittenUrgently, at top speed; much used in business reminders, as in 「至急連絡ください」. 「さっと」 describes quick action or sudden wind and rain, with no sense of urgency.
• Related急激きゅうげきNeutralA na-adjective for sharp, drastic change, as in 「急激な変化」; 「さっと」 says an action or change comes fast, without commenting on how big the change is.
• RelatedふとNeutralSuddenly or quite by chance, without meaning to, as in 「ふと思い出す」; the point is unintentionality, while 「さっと」 is about speed of action.
• Related疾くとくWrittenAn old word for swiftly, also for long ago; rarely used today. For quick actions in everyday language, 「さっと」 or 「すばやく」 is the norm.
• Related早うはようCasualA sound-altered form of 「早く」, common in Kansai colloquial and dated speech, as in 「はよう来い」; it also covers action speed, but 「さっと」 paints a crisper, one-motion manner.
• AntonymゆっくりNeutralSlowly and unhurriedly, as in 「ゆっくり歩く」; the opposite of 「さっと」 in speed, but without any negative nuance.
• AntonymのろのろとNeutralSlowly and sluggishly, as in 「のろのろと歩く」; the direct opposite of 「さっと」 in how fast an action is done.

Use 「颯と」 for an action done in a flash or for wind and rain springing up suddenly. For getting things done without dallying, say 「さっさと」; for an instant change, 「パッと」; for something changing before your eyes, 「見る見る」. The opposite is 「ゆっくり」.

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

1. 急きゅうに雨あめが降ふったり風かぜが吹ふいたりするさま。
2. 動作どうさが素早すばやく行おこなわれるさま。