What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of sugu (immediately) and modorimasu (to return).
Which one should you use?
While すぐ戻ります focuses on the act of returning, 行ってきます is the standard phrase used when leaving a house or office with the implication that you will return later. Other variations include すぐに戻ります and もうすぐ戻ります. The phrase まもなく戻ります means I will be back soon.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form すぐ戻ります is polite and suitable for customers or superiors. すぐに戻ります is a formal way to say I will come back immediately. もうすぐ戻ります is a polite way to say you will be back very soon. In casual settings with friends or family, you can use the dictionary form すぐ戻る or the casual すぐ戻るよ and ちょっと行ってくる.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai region, specifically in Osaka and surrounding areas, you may hear the informal phrase ちょいと行ってくるで.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb modorimasu is in the polite non-past form, which in Japanese functions to express both present habits and future intentions.
How do you pronounce it?
sugu modorimasu
Did you know?
- In many formal Japanese service environments, staff may skip the word 'return' entirely and instead say 失礼いたします, which literally translates to 'I am going to commit a rudeness' as they step away.
- In Japanese business etiquette, if a staff member leaves a counter and says すぐ戻ります, they often leave a physical sign called a 不在札 (absence slip) to visually signal their temporary departure.
- Although the word すぐ can be written with the kanji 直ぐ, using the kanji version in modern text often makes the writer seem overly stiff or formal.
Examples in context
- すぐ戻ります。I will be right back!This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase すぐ戻ります.Tatoeba #214752 by tommy_san, translation #1431661 by azjani
- すぐ戻りますので、待っていてください。Sugu modorimasu node, matte ite kudasai.I will be right back, so please wait for me.
Example conversation
Yota and Misaki are working together in an office.
- 陽太 Yotaちょっと資料を取りに行きます。すぐ戻ります。Chotto shiryou o tori ni ikimasu. Sugu modorimasu.I'm going to get some documents. I'll be right back.
- 美咲 Misakiわかりました。ここで待っていますね。Wakarimashita. Koko de matte imasu ne.Understood. I'll wait here.
- 陽太 Yotaお待たせしました！Omatase shimashita!Sorry to keep you waiting!
- 美咲 Misaki早かったですね。Hayakatta desu ne.That was quick.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
