Translation guide
The English adverb "hastily" describes doing something quickly, often with a sense of rush, carelessness, or urgency. In Japanese, the best translation depends on whether the haste is neutral, careless, or urgent. This guide covers common words, phrases, and patterns to express these nuances naturally.
To say that someone does something quickly, without necessarily implying carelessness. Often used when there is a need for speed.
The most common and versatile way to say 'hastily' or 'in a hurry'. It comes from the verb 急ぐ (to hurry). Use this for most situations where someone does something quickly.
彼は急いで家を出た。
He left the house hastily.
I hastily ate breakfast.
Implies haste with a sense of fluster or panic. Use when the person is rushed and maybe a bit disorganized.
彼女は慌てて書類を探した。
She hastily searched for the documents.
Means 'quickly' or 'without delay', often with a nuance of doing something briskly or even impatiently. Can sound casual or slightly dismissive.
彼はさっさと仕事を終わらせた。
He hastily finished his work.
Means 'early' or 'quickly', often used when something is done sooner than expected. Can imply haste in a formal or written context.
彼は会議を早々に切り上げた。
He hastily ended the meeting.
To emphasize that the haste led to mistakes or lack of care. The action was done too quickly and therefore poorly.
Literally 'hurrying too much', this phrase implies that the haste caused a problem. Often followed by a negative result.
急ぎすぎてミスをした。
I made a mistake because I did it too hastily.
Means 'rashly' or 'thoughtlessly'. Stronger than just 'hastily'; it implies a lack of careful consideration.
彼は軽率に返事をした。
He replied hastily (without thinking).
Describes doing something hurriedly and carelessly, often with a sense of wanting to get it over with. Casual and slightly negative.
彼はそそくさと片付けた。
He hastily tidied up (in a slapdash way).
To express that something must be done immediately due to urgency or emergency.
A formal adverb meaning 'urgently' or 'immediately'. Often used in business or official contexts.
至急ご返信ください。
Please reply hastily (urgently).
Similar to 至急, meaning 'urgently' or 'as soon as possible'. Slightly less formal but still used in professional settings.
早急に対応します。
We will deal with it hastily (urgently).
Means 'in a great hurry' or 'at top speed'. Emphasizes the extreme haste, often in a more casual or spoken context.
大急ぎで準備した。
I prepared hastily (in a mad rush).
English 'hastily' often maps to 急いで, but using it in every context can sound unnatural. Pay attention to whether the haste is neutral, careless, or urgent, and choose the appropriate expression.
急いで is neutral 'in a hurry', while 慌てて adds a sense of panic or fluster. Use 慌てて when the person is visibly rushed and making mistakes.