Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| lo antes posible | /lo antes posible/ (from spelling rules) |
| lo más pronto posible | /lo mas pɾonto posible/ (from spelling rules) |
| cuanto antes | /ˌkwanto ˈantes/ |
| tan pronto como sea posible | /ˌtam ˌpɾonto ˌkomo ˌsea poˈsible/ |
| a la brevedad | /a la bɾebedad/ (from spelling rules) |
| a la mayor brevedad | /a la maʝoɾ bɾebedad/ (from spelling rules) |
| en cuanto sea posible | /en ˌkwanto ˌsea poˈsible/ |
Lo más pronto posible is a common alternative to lo antes posible, emphasizing the speed or 'earliness' of the action.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase lo antes posible literally translates to 'the before possible'.
Which one should you use?
While lo antes posible functions as an adverbial phrase, cuanto antes is often used more directly to mean 'as soon as' in relation to an action.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal situations, such as business correspondence or official notices, you can use a la brevedad. An even more formal and emphatic version is a la mayor brevedad. The phrase tan pronto como sea posible is also a formal way to say 'as soon as possible'. In informal settings, you might say cuanto antes puedas.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase en cuanto sea posible uses the subjunctive mood (sea) because it refers to a future possibility that has not yet occurred.
How do you pronounce it?
/lo antes posible/
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Hazlo lo antes posible.Do it as soon as possible.This sentence shows how to use lo antes posible to give a command.Tatoeba #7583573 by arh, translation #266880 by CK
- Deseo verle cuanto antes.I want to see you as soon as possible.This sentence uses cuanto antes to express a desire to see someone.Tatoeba #2267129 by cueyayotl, translation #2267128 by _undertoad
- Lo necesito cuanto antes.I need it as soon as possible.This sentence uses cuanto antes to express a requirement for an item.Tatoeba #5631983 by arh, translation #5827369 by arh
- Por favor, envíeme el informe tan pronto como sea posible.Please send me the report as soon as possible.
- Necesitamos resolver este problema cuanto antes.We need to solve this problem as soon as possible.
- Pasa por casa lo antes posible, necesito hablar contigo.Come by my house as soon as possible, I need to talk to you.
- Termina el trabajo cuanto antes puedas.Finish the work as soon as possible.
- 53 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are talking about a late delivery at work.
- Elena¿Sabes cuándo llegará el paquete?Do you know when the package will arrive?
- AlejandroEl mensajero vendrá lo antes posible.The messenger will come as soon as possible.
- ElenaPerfecto, gracias por avisarme, Alejandro.Perfect, thanks for letting me know, Alejandro.
- AlejandroDe nada, Elena. Te aviso en cuanto sepa algo.You're welcome, Elena. I'll let you know as soon as I know something.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “as soon as possible” translations and entries lo antes posible, cuanto antes, tan pronto como sea posible, en cuanto sea posible, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries antes, cuanto, cuanto antes, lo, más, posible, pronto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
