さっと

さっと
adverb
quickly; swiftly; lightly
1. quickly; swiftly; in one smooth motion
Describes a quick, smooth action performed without hesitation.
さっと手(て)を洗(あら)った。
I quickly washed my hands.
彼(かれ)はさっと立(た)ち上(あ)がった。
He stood up swiftly.
猫(ねこ)がさっと逃(に)げた。
The cat darted away.
2. lightly; briefly
Describes doing something in a quick, light manner.
野菜(やさい)をさっと炒(いた)める。
Stir-fry the vegetables quickly.
さっと目(め)を通(とお)しただけだ。
I just skimmed through it quickly.
雨(あめ)がさっと降(ふ)ってすぐ止(や)んだ。
It rained briefly and stopped right away.

さっと describes quick, smooth, effortless action — done in one clean motion without hesitation or fuss.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • さっと読(よ)む: to skim through quickly
  • さっと済(す)ませる: to finish up quickly
  • さっと炒(いた)める: to stir-fry briefly
  • さっと目(め)を通(とお)す: to glance through
  • さっと片付(かたづ)ける: to tidy up quickly

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • ぱっと: suddenly, in a flash (more abrupt, often visual — ぱっと明(あか)るくなる)
  • すっと: smoothly, quietly (gentler, more subtle movement)
  • さっさと: briskly, without delay (implies impatience or efficiency; often used as a command)

USAGE:
さっと often implies a light, surface-level action: さっと洗(あら)う (quick rinse, not a thorough wash), さっと読(よ)む (skim, not a careful read). In cooking, さっと茹(ゆ)でる means to blanch briefly.

Related Words

Synonym: ぱっと (suddenly, in a flash)
Synonym: すっと (smoothly, gently)
Synonym: さっさと (briskly, without delay)
general
Added 2026.1.16 14:48 · Revised 2026.4.14 12:00
05000/05357_satto