tout de suite
/tu də sɥit/
The English phrase 'right now' can be translated into French as tout de suite.
tout de suite is used to express that something should happen at this precise moment. While it translates to 'right now', it is more frequently used to mean 'immediately' or 'straight away' in the sense of urgency. In a restaurant or service context, tout de suite is often used by staff to indicate that a request will be handled immediately.
Meaning: at this precise moment (adv)
Which one should you use?
For a more common and versatile way to say 'right now' in French, you can use maintenant.
How do you pronounce it?
/tu də sɥit/
Did you know?
- To express 'right now' as a state of being, such as 'I am busy right now', French speakers avoid tout de suite and use en ce moment.
- While tout de suite means 'right now', the word suite is also used to describe a hotel suite or the sequel to a movie.
- The word suite in tout de suite shares the same Latin root as the English word 'sequence', meaning it literally implies a 'continuous follow-through' of an action.
Examples in context
- Sors tout de suite.Get outside right now.This sentence shows how to use tout de suite for an immediate command to go outside.Tatoeba #7094069 by pititnatole, translation #2646620 by CK
- Arrête tout de suite.Stop right now.This sentence demonstrates using tout de suite to demand an immediate stop.Tatoeba #4472169 by Petrus, translation #4457530 by AlanF_US
- Partez tout de suite !Go away right now!This sentence illustrates an urgent command to leave using tout de suite.Tatoeba #8542 by sacredceltic, translation #241665 by CE
- Veuillez régler cette question tout de suite.Please resolve this matter right away.
- Je dois partir maintenant.I have to leave right now.
- Je reviens tout de suite !I'll be right back!
- Je dois acheter des provisions maintenant.I have to buy groceries right now.
- Attends-moi ici, je reviens tout de suite !Wait for me here, I'll be right back!
- 45 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas is looking for his keys to leave the house.
- LucasOù sont mes clés, Emma ?Where are my keys, Emma?
- EmmaElles sont sur la table.They are on the table.
- LucasMerci, je dois y aller tout de suite.Thanks, I have to go right now.
- EmmaBonne route, Lucas !Have a safe drive, Lucas!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry tout de suite, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, suite, tout, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
