Translation guide
How to express being in a hurry or rushing in Japanese, covering common phrases, verbs, and situational expressions.
Expressing that you are in a hurry because you are short on time.
The most common way to say 'I'm in a hurry.' Literally 'I am hurrying.' Use this in most everyday situations.
すみません、急いでいるので、先に行きます。
Sorry, I'm in a hurry, so I'll go ahead.
Means 'I must hurry' or 'I have to rush.' Slightly more formal or emphatic than 急いでいる.
急がなければならないので、後で話しましょう。
I have to hurry, so let's talk later.
Literally 'I have no time.' Often used to explain why you are in a hurry.
時間がないから、急ごう。
We're short on time, so let's hurry.
Describing doing something quickly or in a rushed manner.
Pattern meaning 'to do something in a hurry.' Attach the verb in dictionary form after 急いで.
急いで朝ごはんを食べた。
I ate breakfast in a hurry.
Adverb meaning 'in a fluster' or 'hurriedly,' often with a nuance of panic or confusion.
慌てて家を出た。
I left the house in a hurry.
Means 'in a great hurry' or 'at top speed.' Emphasizes extreme rush.
大急ぎで支度をした。
I got ready in a big hurry.
Telling or asking someone to hurry up.
Simple command meaning 'Hurry up!' Used in casual to semi-formal situations.
急いで！バスが来るよ。
Hurry up! The bus is coming.
Means 'quickly' or 'hurry up.' Very common in casual speech.
早くしないと遅れるよ。
If you don't hurry, you'll be late.
Polite request: 'Please hurry.' Use with strangers or superiors.
急いでください。時間があまりありません。
Please hurry. We don't have much time.
Expressing that you need to leave quickly.
Casual way to say 'I gotta go' or 'I have to get going.' Implies being in a hurry.
ごめん、もう行かなくちゃ。
Sorry, I have to go now.
Means 'I must hurry home.' Used when you need to leave and go home quickly.
急いで帰らなければならないので、失礼します。
I have to hurry home, so please excuse me.
The English phrase 'in a hurry' is not directly translated word-for-word into Japanese. Avoid literal translations like 急ぎの中で. Instead, use verb phrases like 急いでいる or adverbs like 急いで.
Both can mean 'hurry up,' but 急いで focuses on rushing due to time pressure, while 早く simply means 'quickly' or 'early.' 早く can also be used to urge someone to do something faster without the sense of emergency.