すぐ戻る
sugu modoru
To say "be right back" in Japanese, you use すぐ戻る (sugu modoru).
The phrase is used to indicate that the speaker will return in a moment. In casual settings, you might also use ちょっと行ってくる to say "I'll be right back" or ちょっと抜ける to mean "I'll slip out for a moment" when informally excusing yourself.
Meaning: indicate speaker will return in a moment (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase すぐ戻る is composed of sugu, meaning "immediately" or "soon" and modoru, meaning "to return".
Which one should you use?
Adding the particle ね to the end of すぐ戻る creates a casual way to tell friends or family that you will be right back.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a polite expression suitable for use with strangers, teachers or colleagues, use すぐ戻ります. This polite version is commonly used in professional or service settings, such as a shop clerk telling a customer they will be right back with an item. In contrast, すぐ戻るね is used for casual communication with friends or family.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Osaka dialect, "be right back" is expressed as ちょっと行ってくるで.
How do you pronounce it?
sugu modoru
Did you know?
- The phrase ちょっと抜ける uses the verb 抜ける, which means 'to slip out' or 'to be extracted', similar to a tooth falling out or a thread being pulled from cloth.
- Japanese has a specific concept of 'returning' called 帰る for going home, but 戻る is used for returning to a specific spot or state, such as a desk.
- When leaving a house or an office, it is customary to say 行ってきます ('I am going') rather than 'I will be right back', as the return is implied by the ritual.
Examples in context
- すぐ戻る。I'll be right back.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase すぐ戻る.Tatoeba #3557602 by Takashi, translation #53489 by CK
- すみません、ちょっと失礼します。 今すぐ戻ります。Excuse me, may I be excused for a moment? I'll be right back.
- すみません、しばらくお待ちください。 直ぐ戻ります。Excuse me, please wait a moment. I'll be right back.
- ちょっと行ってくるから、 待っていてね。I'll be right back, so wait for me, okay?
- ちょっと外に出るから、 すぐ戻ってくるよ。I'll slip outside for a second, I'll be right back.
- 電話があるから、すぐ戻るね。Denwa ga aru kara, sugu modoru ne.I have a phone call, I'll be right back.
Example conversation
Two friends are shopping at a mall.
- 大翔 Hirotoあ、飲み物を買い忘れた。a, nomimono o kaiwasureta.Oh, I forgot to buy a drink.
- 陽葵 Himariここで待ってるね。koko de matteru ne.I'll wait here for you.
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとう。すぐ戻る！arigatou. sugu modoru!Thanks. I'll be right back!
- 陽葵 Himariうん、気をつけてね。un, ki o tsukete ne.Okay, take care.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
