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How to Say "at once" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “at once” is “enseguida” — use this for 'right away' or 'very soon' in everyday, slightly more formal spoken or written contexts..

English → Spanish

enseguida

/en-seh-GEE-dah//enseˈɣiða/

adverbA1Slightly more formal
Use this for 'right away' or 'very soon' in everyday, slightly more formal spoken or written contexts.
A cartoon hand pressing a large red button, causing a bright yellow light bulb positioned directly above it to instantly illuminate.

Examples

Vuelvo enseguida.

I'll be back right away.

Llama al doctor enseguida, por favor.

Call the doctor immediately, please.

Termino este correo y te ayudo enseguida.

I'll finish this email and help you in a moment.

Where does 'enseguida' go?

This word is flexible! You can put it at the start, at the end, or right after the action word (verb). For example: 'Enseguida voy' (I'm coming right away), 'Voy enseguida', and 'Te llamo enseguida' (I'll call you right away) are all perfect.

Is it one word or two?

Mistake: “Writing 'en seguida' as two separate words.”

Correction: Today, the correct and standard way is to write it as one word: 'enseguida'. It started as two words a long time ago ('en seguida'), so you might see it in older books, but you should always use the modern, single-word version.

inmediatamente

in-meh-dyah-tah-MEN-teh/inmeðjataˈmente/

adverbA1formal or emphatic
Use this when you want to emphasize urgency or formality, meaning 'immediately' with a strong sense of no delay.
A bright yellow light bulb instantly illuminates above a red button that has just been pressed on a white surface, illustrating an immediate reaction.

Examples

Necesito que me envíes el informe inmediatamente.

I need you to send me the report immediately.

Cuando me vio, se levantó inmediatamente de la silla.

When he saw me, he got up from the chair instantly.

¡Vuelve aquí inmediatamente!

Come back here right away!

Adverb Placement

Adverbs like 'inmediatamente' usually go after the verb they are modifying, but for emphasis, you can often put them at the beginning of the sentence.

Using the Adjective Form

Mistake: “Using the adjective 'inmediato' when you need to describe the verb's action (e.g., 'Respondió inmediato').”

Correction: Always use the '-mente' ending when describing *how* an action is performed: 'Respondió inmediatamente'.

seguida

/seh-GEE-dah//seˈɣiða/

adverbial componentA2formal use of 'en seguida'
This is part of the set phrase 'en seguida' and is used to mean 'right away' or 'immediately', often in slightly more formal or traditional contexts.
A bright red gift box floating in the air just above a small, open human hand, symbolizing immediate arrival.

Examples

Llamé a mi madre y me contestó en seguida.

I called my mother and she answered me right away.

Si tienes un problema, ven en seguida a verme.

If you have a problem, come to see me immediately.

Always Part of a Phrase

You will almost never see 'seguida' used alone. It nearly always works as part of the adverbial phrase 'en seguida' to talk about time.

Writing 'Enseguida'

Mistake: “Using 'en seguida' as one word, 'enseguida'.”

Correction: While 'enseguida' (written as one word) is also correct and very common, 'en seguida' (two words) is traditionally preferred, though both mean the same thing.

directamente

/dee-rek-tah-MEN-teh//di.ɾek.taˈmen.te/

adverbA2adverb
This is typically used for 'directly' or 'straight' in terms of route or path, but less commonly for 'immediately'. Use with caution for the 'at once' meaning.
A cheerful blue arrow moving in a perfectly straight, unobstructed line from a yellow starting point to a red circular target, illustrating movement without deviation.

Examples

El bus va directamente al centro de la ciudad.

The bus goes directly to the city center.

Hablé directamente con el gerente, sin pasar por recepción.

I spoke directly with the manager, without going through reception.

¿Podemos ir directamente al grano?

Can we get straight to the point?

Adverb Formation

Like many Spanish adverbs, 'directamente' is formed by adding '-mente' (which often works like '-ly' in English) to the feminine form of the adjective 'directa'.

Choosing between 'enseguida' and 'inmediatamente'

Learners often overuse 'inmediatamente' because it directly translates 'immediately'. However, 'enseguida' is more common in everyday speech for 'right away'. Reserve 'inmediatamente' for when you need to stress strong urgency or formality.

Related Translations

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