en seguida
Lemma Details
Translation: immediately; right away; at once; straightaway; promptly
Part of Speech: adverb
Etymology: Derived from the Spanish preposition 'en' (in) and 'seguida', which comes from 'seguir' (to follow). The literal meaning is 'in sequence' or 'in succession', suggesting something that follows without delay. This construction parallels the English phrase 'in sequence' but has evolved to specifically indicate immediacy rather than just order.
Commonality: 90%
Guessability: 40%
Register: neutral
Mnemonics
- Think of 'en seguida' as 'in sequence' but with no waiting time between steps.
- Remember it as 'in seguida' = 'in sequence' = 'right away' (with no delay in the sequence).
- Associate 'seguida' with 'seguir' (to follow) - something that follows immediately after.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
This expression is very common in everyday Spanish conversation and is often used in service contexts, such as restaurants or shops, to indicate prompt attention to customers. It's slightly less formal than 'inmediatamente' but perfectly acceptable in most contexts.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: Both 'en seguida' and 'enseguida' are accepted spellings of the same expression. The Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) recognizes both forms, though 'enseguida' (written as one word) is becoming more common in modern usage.
This word:
Llegaré en seguida.
I'll arrive right away.
Confused word:
Llegaré enseguida.
I'll arrive right away.
Notes: Both forms are correct according to the RAE, so you can use either one. Regional preferences may exist.
Mnemonic: Whether one word or two, they mean exactly the same thing.
Explanation: 'En seguida' implies immediacy (right away), while 'a continuación' means 'next' or 'subsequently' in a sequence without the same sense of urgency.
Confused word:
A continuación, veremos el siguiente tema.
Next, we will look at the following topic.
Notes: 'A continuación' is more about sequence and order, while 'en seguida' emphasizes promptness.
Mnemonic: 'En seguida' has urgency; 'a continuación' just means what comes next.