Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| dès que possible | /dɛ k(ə) pɔ.sibl/ |
| le plus vite possible | |
| au plus tôt | /o ply to/ |
| dans les plus brefs délais | /dɑ̃ le ply bʁɛf de.lɛ/ |
While dès que possible is a standard way to express timing, other variations change the nuance. For example, le plus vite possible focuses on the speed of the action, while dans les plus brefs délais refers to completing something within the shortest possible time.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase dès que possible is a literal translation of "as soon as possible", where dès que means "as soon as" and possible means "possible".
Which one should you use?
Different forms emphasize different aspects of the request. Dès que possible emphasizes the timing of an event. In contrast, le plus vite possible emphasizes the speed of an action (as fast as possible). For scheduling or technical contexts, au plus tôt is used to specify the earliest possible moment an event can occur. Dans les plus brefs délais is used to mean "within the shortest possible time".
Did you know?
- While dès que possible is a direct translation of 'as soon as possible', French speakers often use the acronym ASAP in casual office slang, adopting the English term entirely.
- In professional emails, dans les plus brefs délais is the gold standard for politeness. Using le plus vite possible in a formal business letter can sound demanding or impatient to a native speaker.
- The word brefs in dans les plus brefs délais comes from a root meaning 'cut short'. It describes time not as a duration, but as something that has been truncated.
Examples in context
- Descendez dès que possible.Come downstairs as soon as possible.This sentence is useful for practicing the command to descend using dès que possible.Tatoeba #12692 by hirymnak, translation #39524 by CK
- Je le ferai dès que possible.I'll do that as soon as possible.This sentence demonstrates how to use dès que possible to express intent.Tatoeba #12012766 by lbdx, translation #6437532 by CK
- Nous reviendrons dès que possible.We'll be back as soon as possible.This sentence shows how to use dès que possible to indicate a return time.Tatoeba #8755882 by Aiji, translation #2953836 by CK
- Veuillez me rappeler le plus tôt possiblePlease call me back as soon as possible
- Merci de me transmettre ces informations sans délaiPlease provide me with this information as soon as possible
- Nous attendons votre réponse dans les plus brefs délaisWe are awaiting your response as soon as possible
- Merci de régler ce dossier immédiatementPlease handle this matter as soon as possible
- Rappelle-moi aussitôt que possibleCall me back as soon as possible
- Réponds-moi dès que possibleReply to me as soon as possible
- 26 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Chloé are discussing a work project.
- LucasPeux-tu m'envoyer le document dès que possible ?Can you send me the document as soon as possible?
- ChloéOui, je m'en occupe tout de suite.Yes, I'll take care of it right away.
- LucasMerci, c'est très urgent.Thanks, it's very urgent.
- ChloéJe te l'envoie dès que possible, Lucas.I'll send it to you as soon as possible, Lucas.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “as soon as possible” translations and entries dès que possible, au plus tôt, dans les plus brefs délais, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
