Entry
さっさと
sassato
Doing something quickly and without hesitation or delay.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
さっさと describes an action performed quickly, briskly, and without unnecessary delay. It is often used to emphasize efficiency, such as finishing a task promptly. However, it can also carry a negative nuance of acting hastily, coldly, or indifferently, especially when ignoring the feelings or presence of others. It frequently appears in commands urging someone to hurry up.
- quick action without delay
- acting coldly or indifferently
Sense Map
Prompt Action
Performing a task quickly and efficiently without wasting time.
さっさと仕事を終わらせる
Urging or Commanding
Telling someone to hurry up and do something without dawdling.
さっさと片付けなさい
Cold or Indifferent Action
Leaving or doing something quickly without regard for others, showing coldness.
さっさと帰ってしまった
Usage Note
How to Use
さっさと + verb
Modifies a verb to indicate the action is done quickly and without delay.
さっさと + verb-te (imperative request)
Used in commands to impatiently urge someone to perform an action quickly.
How to Use
Common Phrases
さっさと帰る
to go home quickly / to leave promptly
さっさと終わらせる
to finish up quickly
さっさと歩く
to walk briskly
さっさと諦める
to give up without hesitation
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Doing chores or work | positive/neutral | Indicates efficiency and getting things done without procrastinating. |
| Telling someone to do something | negative | Sounds impatient, bossy, or annoyed, like telling someone to hurry up and do it already. |
| Leaving a social situation | negative/neutral | Implies leaving abruptly without lingering, which can seem cold or indifferent to others. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ささっと ささっと / similar | Use when an action is done quickly, lightly, and briefly, often with less effort. | さっさと has a stronger nuance of not wasting time and can sound impatient, whereas ささっと focuses on the lightness and brevity of the action itself. | ささっと掃除する |
てきぱき てきぱき / similar | Use for describing someone acting efficiently, capably, and in an organized manner. | てきぱき focuses on competence and efficiency, while さっさと simply means doing something without delay, sometimes out of impatience or coldness. | てきぱきと働く |
そそくさ そそくさ / similar | Use when someone leaves or acts hurriedly, often to avoid being noticed or because they are uncomfortable. | そそくさ implies a sense of rushing away awkwardly or guiltily, whereas さっさと implies decisively leaving without caring about others. | そそくさと逃げる |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Thinking it always means a positive kind of efficient action.
It often carries an impatient or cold tone. Do not use it when politely asking a superior to do something quickly.
Confusing it with the physical speed of a moving object.
さっさと applies to human actions, decisions, or task execution, not to the literal velocity of objects like cars or trains.
Examples
Examples
さっさと宿題を終わらせて、遊びに行こう。
さっさとしゅくだいをおわらせて、あそびにいこう。
Let's finish our homework quickly and go play.
LiteralDescribes getting a task done promptly without dawdling.
彼女は怒ったのか、さっさと帰ってしまった。
かのじょはおこったのか、さっさとかえってしまった。
Perhaps she was angry, as she left promptly without hesitation.
FigurativeShows a cold departure, leaving without caring about the people left behind.
さっさと寝なさいと、母親に叱られた。
さっさとねなさいと、ははおやにしかられた。
I was scolded by my mother, telling me to hurry up and go to sleep.
LiteralUsed as a stern command to hasten an action.
迷っていないで、さっさと決めてください。
まよっていないで、さっさときめてください。
Please do not hesitate and make a decision quickly.
FigurativeApplied to an abstract mental process, making a decision without delay.
嫌な仕事はさっさと片付けるに限る。
いやなしごとはさっさとかたづけるにかぎる。
It is best to get unpleasant tasks out of the way without delay.
LiteralIndicates efficiency in finishing something burdensome.
Similar Words
ささっと
sasatto
Focuses on the lightness of the action, not impatience.
てきぱき
tekipaki
Doing tasks or taking action quickly, efficiently, and without hesitation. Focuses on working in a competent and efficient manner.
そそくさ
sosokusa
そそくさ describes doing something hurriedly or hastily, often with the intention of leaving quickly or finishing a task without lingering. Hurrying away due to feeling awkward or uncomfortable.
すっと
sutto
Describes a smooth, unhindered, swift movement, or a sudden feeling of being emotionally or physically refreshed.
Questions
Can I use さっさと with superiors?
No, it implies impatience and would be considered very rude if used to urge a superior to do something.
What is the difference between さっさと and 早く?
早く simply means early or fast. さっさと implies a deliberate lack of hesitation or delay, often carrying an impatient or decisive attitude.
Does さっさと always have a negative meaning?
Not always. When applied to your own actions like finishing your own work, it simply means you were efficient and did not waste time.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1005190
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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