Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Suddenly" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "suddenly", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
急に
きゅうに (kyūni)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
いきなり
いきなり (ikinari)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "suddenly" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 急に and いきなり.
In Japanese, 急に (きゅうに (kyūni)) is typically associated with "suddenly" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Adverb. Indicates an unexpected, abrupt, or rapid change or occurrence. It often expresses a surprise or sudden shift in situation..
On the other hand, いきなり (いきなり (ikinari)) maps to "suddenly, all of a sudden" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Expresses something happening abruptly or without warning. Often implies a surprise or unexpectedness.. A literal translation of "suddenly" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "急に"
道で急に犬が飛び出してきたので驚いた。
I was surprised because a dog suddenly jumped out onto the road.
Bilingual Context for "いきなり"
いきなり雨が降ってきたので、傘を持っていなくて困った。
It suddenly started raining, and I was in trouble because I didn't have an umbrella.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "道で ＿＿＿ 犬が飛び出してきたので驚いた。" (Meaning: "I was surprised because a dog suddenly jumped out onto the road.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "急に" fits here because it means "suddenly" in the context of: "I was surprised because a dog suddenly jumped out onto the road.". "いきなり" represents "suddenly, all of a sudden".