tout de suite
/tu də sɥit/
The English phrase 'right away' can be translated into French using tout de suite, séance tenante or aussi sec.
Meaning: very soon (adv)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| tout de suite | /tu də sɥit/ /tut.sɥit/ |
| séance tenante | /se.ɑ̃s tə.nɑ̃t/ |
| aussi sec | /o.si sɛk/ |
Which one should you use?
Séance tenante is a formal or legalistic way to say 'right away', specifically implying that an action must be taken during the current meeting or session.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Séance tenante is formal or legalistic, typically used when an action is required during a specific meeting or session.
How do you pronounce it?
/tu də sɥit/
Did you know?
- The word sec in the expression aussi sec comes from the Latin siccus, which means 'dry'.
- If you use aussi sec to describe someone's manner of speaking, you are no longer talking about time, but describing them as being 'just as dry' or curt.
Examples in context
- Partons tout de suite.Let's start right away.This sentence shows how to express starting an action immediately using tout de suite.Tatoeba #11862 by Lulantis, translation #52156 by CK
- J'arrive tout de suite.I'm coming right away.This sentence shows how to express arriving immediately using tout de suite.Tatoeba #8545 by sacredceltic, translation #461167 by jeanne
- Allons-y tout de suite.Let's go right away.This sentence shows how to express going immediately using tout de suite.Tatoeba #1719452 by Rovo, translation #5178399 by CK
- J'ai besoin de ce rapport tout de suite.I need this report right away.
- Veuillez terminer cette tâche tout de suite.Please finish this task right away.
- Prière de répondre à ce courrier électronique immédiatement.Please respond to this email right away.
- Cette réunion doit commencer immédiatement.This meeting has to start right away.
- Nous devons régler ce problème de suite.We need to address this issue right away.
- J'arrive tout de suite, ne bouge pas !I'm coming right away, don't move!
- Laisse-moi chercher ce livre tout de suite.Let me find that book right away.
- 96 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa calls Gabriel to tell him the food is ready.
- LéaGabriel, le dîner est prêt !Gabriel, dinner is ready!
- GabrielJ'arrive tout de suite, Léa.I'm coming right away, Léa.
- LéaNe tarde pas trop.Don't be too long.
- GabrielJe descends tout de suite.I'm coming down right away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “right away” translations and entries tout de suite, séance tenante, aussi sec, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aussi, de, sec, suite, séance, séance tenante, tout, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
