即座に|そくざにsokuzani

1. adverbimmediately; right away; on the spot
   警官けいかんは強盗犯ごうとうはんを即座そくざに逮捕たいほしました。↗

   The police arrested the burglar on the spot.

• Synonym直ちにただちにNeutralMore formal than 「即座に」 and typical of instructions and directives, as in 「直ちに出発する」. 「即座に」 stresses acting on the spot, with no interval.
• Synonym即刻そっこくNeutralA Sino-Japanese word, noun or adverb, and more formal: 「即刻対応する」. Like 「即座に」 it means at once, but lacks the nuance of doing something right there on the spot.
• SynonymすぐさまNeutralMeans right away, as in 「すぐさま駆けつける」. Neutral in register, it works in both conversation and writing.
• SynonymとっさにNeutralCovers the split second when something happens suddenly and there is no time to think: 「とっさに避けた」「とっさに嘘をつく」. It stresses quick, improvised reactions.
• Synonym即時そくじNeutralA noun, mostly in compounds or as a modifier: 「即時通訳」. It means immediate or real-time.
• SynonymパッとCasualColloquial, with a mimetic quality: 「パッと消える」. It suggests something happening in a flash.
• SynonymたちまちNeutralMeans a state changing in no time at all: 「たちまち売り切れる」. The focus is on how quickly the situation shifts.
• Synonym早速さっそくNeutralMeans getting started on something right away: 「早速始める」. The nuance is diving into an action without delay.
• SynonymすぐにNeutralThe everyday default for right away: 「すぐに来て」. It is the most common choice in speech and does not stress acting on the spot.
• SynonymすぐNeutralLike 「直ぐに」, the most common spoken word for right away: 「すぐ行く」. It can also mean physically close by.
• Synonym直にじきにNeutralMeans before long, something that will happen soon: 「じきに治る」. It points to the near future, not an on-the-spot action.
• Synonym早々そうそうNeutralMeans doing something early or promptly, often sooner than expected: 「早々と帰る」「早々と準備する」. 「即座に」 stresses acting on the spot without delay.
• SynonymすかさずNeutralMeans acting without a moment's hesitation to seize an opening: 「すかさず反論する」. It stresses timing.
• SynonymたちどころにNeutralDescribes achieving a result or taking effect on the spot, as in 「たちどころに答える」「たちどころに治る」.
• Synonym時を移さずときをうつさずWrittenA set phrase meaning to act without letting any time pass: 「時を移さず行動する」. It belongs to written, formal prose.
• Related早々はやばやNeutralMeans doing something early or promptly, often sooner than expected: 「早々と帰る」「早々と準備する」. 「即座に」 stresses acting on the spot without delay.
• RelatedやにわにNeutralMeans suddenly, catching someone off guard: 「やにわに立ち上がる」. Somewhat old-fashioned.
• Related瞬く間にまたたくまにNeutralA set phrase meaning in the blink of an eye: 「瞬く間に広がる」. It stresses the speed of a change.
• Related一も二もなくいちもにもなくNeutralA set phrase for agreeing or acting without a second word: 「一も二もなく賛成する」. The point is the lack of hesitation.
• Related即そくNeutralMostly a prefix with a terse, compact feel, as in 「即決」「即答」, meaning immediate or instant.
• Related一瞬にしていっしゅんにしてNeutralA set phrase meaning in an instant: 「一瞬にして消える」. It stresses how quickly something changes or disappears.
• Antonym後であとでNeutralAn everyday word for later: 「後で連絡する」. It is the direct opposite of 「即座に」.
• Antonym後ほどのちほどNeutralA politer way to say later: 「後ほど伺います」. Also the opposite of 「即座に」.
• Antonym遅れてNeutralMeans being late or delayed: 「遅れて到着する」. It is the opposite of the gap-free immediacy of 「即座に」.

「即座に」 stresses acting on the spot, with no interval: 「即座に答える」「即座に断る」. In conversation 「すぐに」 is the everyday choice; 「直ちに」 suits formal instructions; 「とっさに」 covers split-second reactions when something catches you off guard. 「早速」 is for getting started on something right away, and 「忽ち」「一瞬にして」 describe fast change rather than a prompt response. The opposite is 「後で」.

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

1. すぐに、その場ばで、遅おくれることなく行おこなうさま。