Entry
さっと
satto
Performing an action quickly, smoothly, and without hesitation.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Used to describe an action that is executed swiftly and efficiently, or a brief event that occurs suddenly and finishes quickly.
- Swift, smooth action
- Brief, sudden occurrence
- Light, quick interaction
Sense Map
Swift Action
Doing something (like leaving, cleaning up, or reading) very quickly and efficiently.
さっと帰る
Brief Occurrence
Something that happens suddenly and ends quickly, such as a brief rain shower.
雨がさっと降る
Light Action
Doing something lightly and briefly without expending much effort, like rinsing or wiping.
さっと洗う
Usage Note
How to Use
さっと ＋ 動詞
Functions as an adverb modifying the verb to show that the action is done quickly and efficiently.
How to Use
Common Phrases
さっと帰る
to leave quickly
さっと片付ける
to tidy up quickly
さっと読む
to read through quickly
さっと洗う
to wash lightly/briefly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Workplace | Neutral | Commonly used to describe someone leaving work quickly and without lingering (さっと帰る). |
| Cooking | Neutral | Often seen in recipes to describe briefly washing, boiling, or frying an ingredient to retain its texture. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ざっと ざっと / similar | Use ざっと (zatto) when you want to emphasize doing something roughly or without looking into the details. Use さっと (satto) when focusing on the speed and smooth flow of the action. | ざっと emphasizes a lack of detail or depth, whereas さっと emphasizes speed and agility. | ざっと読む |
ぱっと ぱっと / nearby | Use ぱっと (patto) for things that happen in a flash or spread instantly. | ぱっと focuses more on the instantaneous or visual impact, while さっと focuses on the smooth, quick physical motion. | ぱっと決める |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using さっと for actions that take a long time.
It should only be used for actions or events that are completed in a brief moment.
Modifying adjectives with it.
It is an adverb that modifies verbs describing actions or changes.
Examples
Examples
５時になったらさっと帰る。
５じになったら さっと かえる。
When it turns 5 o'clock, I leave quickly.
LiteralDescribes the action of leaving without wasting any time.
テーブルの上をさっと片付ける。
テーブルの うえを さっと かたづける。
Tidy up the table quickly.
LiteralFocuses on the swiftness and efficiency of the action.
雨がさっと降ってすぐやんだ。
あめが さっと ふって すぐ やんだ。
It rained suddenly and stopped right away.
LiteralUsed for a sudden but brief natural occurrence.
新聞の1面だけさっと読む。
しんぶんの いちめんだけ さっと よむ。
Read the front page of the newspaper quickly.
LiteralMeans to read quickly because there is not much time.
野菜を水でさっと洗う。
やさいを みずで さっと あらう。
Wash the vegetables lightly with water.
LiteralDescribes washing quickly without much effort or time.
Similar Words
ざっと
zatto
Zatto means to do something quickly and superficially or indicates a rough estimate without fine details. Use ざっと (zatto) when you want to emphasize doing something roughly or without looking into the details. Use さっと (satto) when focusing on the speed and smooth flow of the action. ざっと emphasizes a lack of detail or depth, whereas さっと emphasizes speed and agility.
パッと
patto
Describes an action or change that occurs instantly, or something lacking a striking impression. Use ぱっと (patto) for things that happen in a flash or spread instantly. ぱっと focuses more on the instantaneous or visual impact, while さっと focuses on the smooth, quick physical motion.
Questions
Can I use さっと for weather?
Yes, it is often used for a sudden, brief rain shower (さっと降る).
What is the difference between さっと (satto) and ざっと (zatto)?
さっと focuses on speed and doing something in one swift motion. ざっと focuses on doing something roughly or broadly without going into details. Both can be used with reading (to skim), but the underlying nuance differs.
Is this a casual word?
It is a neutral word and perfectly natural in both casual conversations and everyday polite situations.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 969037569
- Source
- Internal
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
- Previous entry
- きょどきょど (kyodokyodo)