JLPT N4・N5 Vocabulary – “すぐ” and “もうすぐ”
Table of Contents
1. Difference between “すぐ” and “もうすぐ”
2. Difference 1
3. Difference 2
4. Difference 3
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment
Q: What is the difference between “すぐ” and “もうすぐ”?
A: In addition to the specific duration of time until something happens, there are several differences.
- Difference 1: The time until an event occurs
- Difference 2: The reference time
- Difference 3: Whether it expresses the speaker’s intention or a state
1. The time until an event occurs
“すぐ” indicates that something will happen very shortly after a brief period of time, while “もうすぐ” denotes that something will occur after a slightly longer period of time compared to “すぐ”.
[Examples]
準備ができたら、すぐ出発します。
As soon as I am ready, I will leave immediately.
⇒ The time until departure is short.
もうすぐ出発します。
I will leave soon.
⇒ The time until departure is longer than “すぐ”.
2. The reference time
“すぐ” is used when the reference point is the moment something happens, indicating the brevity of time from that reference to the next change. “もうすぐ,” on the other hand, takes “now” at the moment of speaking as the reference point.
[Examples]
準備ができたら、すぐ出発します。
As soon as I am ready, I will leave immediately.
⇒ The reference is “when I am ready”.
もうすぐ出発します。
I will leave soon.
⇒ The reference is “now,” indicating a near future.
3. Whether it expresses the speaker’s intention or a state
“すぐ” expresses the speaker’s intention, while “もうすぐ” represents the speaker’s state.
[Examples]
準備ができたら、すぐ出発します。
As soon as I am ready, I will leave immediately.
⇒ It expresses the speaker’s intention.
もうすぐ出発します。
I will leave soon.
⇒ It expresses the speaker’s state.
Summary
すぐ
- Indicates that something will happen very shortly after a brief period of time.
- Expresses the speaker’s intention.
- The reference point for time can be something other than “now.”
もうすぐ
- Indicates that there is a somewhat short period of time before something happens, but points to a slightly more distant future than “すぐ.”
- Represents the speaker’s state.
- The reference point for time is “now.” It is used when a specific time or plan has been decided.
Quiz
Please insert “すぐ” or “もうすぐ” into the following sentences to complete the most appropriate expression.
Click on the question to check the answer.
A. すぐ
雨が止んだら、すぐ散歩に出かけます。
As soon as the rain stops, I will immediately go out for a walk.
*Since ‘when the rain stops’ is the criterion, we use ‘すぐ’.
A. もうすぐ
もうすぐ母の誕生日なので、プレゼントを買いに行きました。
Since my mother’s birthday is coming up soon, I went to buy a present.
*Since it refers to a later time than ‘right now’, we use ‘もうすぐ’.
A. すぐ
このお腹が痛かったので薬を飲んだら、すぐ痛みがなくなりました。
My stomach was hurting, so after I took medicine, the pain immediately went away.
*Since I’ve already taken the medicine and ‘now’ is not the criterion, ‘すぐ’ is appropriate.
A. すぐ
春休みが終わると、すぐ新学期が始まります。
As soon as spring break ends, the new semester will begin.
*Since ‘when spring break ends’ is the criterion, we use ‘すぐ’.
A. もうすぐ
電車はもうすぐ東京駅に到着します。
The train will arrive at Tokyo Station soon.
*Since the train will arrive at Tokyo Station shortly and the arrival time is set, we use ‘もうすぐ’.
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説明がとてもわかりました。ありがとございます。
ありがとうございます:)
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