Meaning and Usage
The adverb たちまち means "instantly," "suddenly," or "all at once." It describes something happening very quickly or immediately, often unexpectedly. It is commonly used in both spoken and written Japanese to emphasize rapid change or action.
Common Contexts
You will often see たちまち used with natural phenomena (like storms or weather changes), emotional or physical reactions, and situations where something sells out or changes state quickly.
Collocations and Patterns
- たちまち + verb (e.g., たちまち売り切れる): emphasizes the speed of the action.
- たちまち + adjective (e.g., たちまち暗くなる): rapid change of condition.
- たちまち + result clause: shows immediate consequence.
Register and Nuance
たちまち is neutral in politeness and can be used in formal and informal contexts. It often conveys surprise or immediacy.
Common Learner Mistake
Do not confuse たちまち with すぐに, which also means "immediately." たちまち often implies a sudden or unexpected change, while すぐに is more about timing without the suddenness nuance.