Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
「直ちに (tadachi ni)」 means “immediately,” “at once,” or “without delay.”
🎯 Primary Function
It is used to emphasize the urgency and directness of an action, indicating that something must be done with no intervening time or hesitation.
📋 Grammar Structure
「直ちに (tadachi ni)」 functions as an adverb and typically precedes the verb or verb phrase it modifies. It does not conjugate.
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Highly common in official commands, instructions, public announcements, legal documents, and formal business communication where prompt action is critical.
Informal Situations
Rarely used in casual conversation as it sounds overly formal, stiff, and somewhat authoritative.
Written Language
Frequently found in written notices, official reports, legal texts, public service announcements, and formal correspondence.
Spoken Language
Primarily used in formal speeches, official instructions, emergency broadcasts, and professional settings requiring strict adherence.
💡 Common Applications
Issuing commands or instructions
Used when giving strict orders or directives that require immediate compliance, such as in emergency situations.
Example: 「火災報知器が鳴ったら、直ちに建物の外へ避難してください。」 (When the fire alarm sounds, please evacuate the building immediately.)
Stating immediate action required
Used to indicate that a problem or situation demands an instant response or resolution without any postponement.
Example: 「このシステムエラーは、直ちに原因を特定し、解決する必要があります。」 (This system error requires immediate identification of the cause and resolution.)
Referring to prompt response or resolution
Often seen in business or public service contexts to assure a quick and direct handling of issues.
Example: 「お客様からのご意見には、直ちに対応させていただきます。」 (We will respond to customer feedback immediately.)
Frequency
Medium-low in general daily usage, but very high in specific formal, official, and urgent contexts.
Difficulty
JLPT N2. The main challenge lies in distinguishing its nuance and appropriate usage from other similar adverbs of time.
Example Sentences
地震が発生したら、直ちに避難してください。
When an earthquake occurs, please evacuate immediately.
この問題は直ちに解決する必要があります。
This problem needs to be solved immediately.
彼は指示を受けると直ちにその作業に取り掛かった。
As soon as he received the instructions, he immediately started the work.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
High Formality
「直ちに」 is significantly more formal and carries a stronger sense of urgency and directness compared to 「すぐに」.
Example: 「すぐに家へ帰ります。」 (I’ll go home right away – casual) vs. 「直ちに本部へ戻れ。」 (Return to headquarters immediately – very formal command).
No Delay Implied
It emphasizes that an action should be taken directly and without any pause, hesitation, or intervening time, often due to a command, necessity, or emergency.
Example: 「危険ですので、直ちにその場を離れてください。」 (It’s dangerous, so please leave that spot immediately.)
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ Using in casual conversation
✅ Use 「すぐに」 or other less formal adverbs for everyday situations.
「直ちに」 sounds overly stiff and unnatural in informal settings. For example, saying 「直ちにコンビニへ行く」 (I’ll go to the convenience store immediately) sounds like a military order.
❌ Confusing with softer adverbs like 「間もなく」
✅ Remember 「直ちに」 implies zero delay, while 「間もなく」 implies a short delay.
「間もなく」 means “shortly” or “soon,” indicating something will happen in the near future, not necessarily right this second. 「直ちに」 demands instant action.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: Very high formality. It commands respect and conveys the seriousness of the action.
Social Situations: Primarily used in hierarchical settings (e.g., boss to employee, government to citizens), emergency situations, official statements, and legal contexts. It’s not used when requesting something casually from a friend or family member.
Regional Variations: 「直ちに」 is standard Japanese and its meaning and usage are consistent across all regions of Japan.
🔍 Subtle Differences
直ちに vs. すぐに
「直ちに」 implies “directly, without any intervening time or hesitation,” carrying a strong, formal, and urgent nuance. 「すぐに」 means “soon,” “right away,” or “in a moment,” and is more common, casual, and can imply a very short delay.
When to use: Use 「直ちに」 for formal, critical, or mandatory immediate actions (e.g., official commands, emergencies). Use 「すぐに」 for everyday, less critical immediate actions.
直ちに vs. 間もなく
「直ちに」 means “at once,” indicating zero delay. 「間もなく」 means “shortly” or “soon,” implying that something will happen very soon, but not necessarily this very instant.
When to use: Use 「直ちに」 when the action must happen right now. Use 「間もなく」 when an event is imminent but not necessarily requiring immediate personal action.
直ちに vs. 早速 (sassoku)
「直ちに」 focuses purely on the speed and lack of delay for a necessary action or command. 「早速」 means “without delay, promptly,” and often carries a nuance of eagerness or taking the initiative to start something without putting it off, often with a positive connotation.
When to use: Use 「直ちに」 for strict orders or critical, immediate necessities. Use 「早速」 when you’re promptly starting something (e.g., a task, a response) with a sense of efficiency or eagerness.
📝 Conjugation Notes
「直ちに」 is an adverb, and as such, it does not conjugate. It always appears in this form.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
「直ちに」 is pronounced “ta-da-chi-ni.” Ensure a clear pronunciation of each syllable, especially the “chi” (ち) sound. The pitch accent is generally flat (H-L-L-L).
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of 「直」 as “direct” or “straight.” So, 「直ちに」 means “directly” or “straight away,” implying no detours or delays. Visualize a straight line to immediate action.
Vocabulary List
発生
hassei
occurrence, outbreak
避難
hinan
evacuation
解決
kaiketsu
resolution, solution
指示
shiji
instruction, direction
取り掛かる
torikakaru
to set about, to begin
不正
fusei
injustice, wrongdoing, fraud
報告
report
Kanji List
直
ちょく/じか/ただ
direct, honest, immediately
発
はつ
departure, discharge, emit
生
せい/なま/い
life, birth, raw
避
ひ
to avoid
難
なん
difficult, trouble, disaster
解
かい
unravel, solve, explain
決
けつ
decide, determine
指
し
finger, point, indicate
示
し
show, exhibit, display
取
しゅ/と
take, fetch, get
掛
かけ/か
hang, suspend, depend
Practice Exercises
地震があったら、______避難してください。
a) ゆっくり
b) すぐに
c) 直ちに
d) たぶん
お客様からの苦情には、______対応いたします。
a) いつか
b) 直ちに
c) 明日
d) 後で
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