さっさと

さっさと

quickly

JLPT N2

Meaning and Usage

"さっさと" is an adverb used to express doing something quickly or without delay. It often implies a sense of urgency or impatience, encouraging prompt action.

Common Contexts

You will hear "さっさと" in everyday conversation when someone wants to emphasize that something should be done swiftly, such as finishing tasks, leaving a place, or making decisions.

Collocations and Patterns

  • さっさと + verb (e.g., さっさと帰る): to do something quickly
  • さっさと + しまう (e.g., さっさと終わらせる): to finish something promptly

Register and Nuance

"さっさと" is casual and often used in informal speech. It can sound a bit blunt or impatient, so be careful using it with superiors or in formal situations.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse "さっさと" with simply "quickly" without the nuance of urging promptness. Remember, "さっさと" often carries a tone of urging or impatience, so it’s not just about speed but also about not wasting time.

Example Sentences

さっさとしゅくだいをおわらせなさい。

Finish your homework quickly.

かれはさっさとかえってしまった。

He left quickly.

さっさときめないとじかんがなくなるよ。

If you don't decide quickly, you'll run out of time.