cuanto antes
/ˌkwanto ˈantes/
The English phrase 'asap' can be translated into Spanish as cuanto antes.
Other ways to convey urgency or immediate action include sin demora (without delay), de manera inmediata (immediately) and con la mayor urgencia to emphasize how pressing a matter is. In formal written communication, you may also see con carácter de urgencia, which means 'with the character of urgency'.
Meaning: as soon as possible (adv)
Which one should you use?
While cuanto antes is a common and concise way to say 'as soon as possible', you may also encounter lo antes posible. The latter uses the neuter article lo to convey the same meaning. Cuanto antes is slightly more common in spoken Spanish.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase lo antes posible is a common alternative to cuanto antes and utilizes the neuter article lo.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌkwanto ˈantes/
Did you know?
- While cuanto antes is common, Spanish speakers often use the phrase para ayer (for yesterday) to describe a task that is even more urgent than 'asap'.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, saying lo antes posible can be a polite way to avoid committing to a specific date or time.
- The word antes traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root *h₂énti, which is also the ancestor of the English preposition 'anti-', meaning 'against' or 'opposite'.
Examples in context
- Por favor, responda a este correo lo más pronto posiblePlease respond to this email as soon as possible
- Necesitamos su firma en este documento con la mayor urgenciaWe need your signature on this document with the utmost urgency
- Le solicitamos su presencia con carácter de urgencia en la reuniónWe request your presence urgently at the meeting
- Por favor, envíeme la información de manera inmediataPlease send me the information immediately
- Házmelo saber lo antes posibleLet me know as soon as possible
- Ven rápidoCome quickly
- Responde a mi mensaje en seguidaRespond to my message right away
- Hazlo sin demoraDo it without delay
- Llámame cuanto antes.Call me as soon as possible.
- Necesito los documentos cuanto antes.I need the documents as soon as possible.
- Por favor, llámame cuanto antes.Please, call me as soon as possible.
- Debemos resolver este problema cuanto antes.We must resolve this problem as soon as possible.
Example conversation
Elena is calling Alejandro to ask about a missing report.
- ElenaAlejandro, ¿tienes el informe listo?Alejandro, do you have the report ready?
- AlejandroAún no, Elena, pero lo terminaré cuanto antes.Not yet, Elena, but I will finish it as soon as possible.
- ElenaEstá bien, lo necesito para la reunión.Alright, I need it for the meeting.
- AlejandroNo te preocupes, te lo envío pronto.Don't worry, I will send it to you soon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cuanto antes, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries antes, cuanto, cuanto antes, CC BY-SA 4.0.
