na-adjective
Describes an event or change that happens without warning. Often used adverbially as 急に.
急に雨が降り出した。
It suddenly started raining.
An urgent matter came up and I can no longer go.
na-adjective
Describes a slope, incline, or curve that rises or falls sharply.
この坂は急で、自転車では登れない。
This hill is steep and can't be climbed by bicycle.
na-adjective
Describes a quick movement, change, or flow. Often used for currents, breathing, or developments.
川の流れが急で危ない。
The river's current is swift and dangerous.
noun
A noun referring to a dangerous or critical situation requiring immediate response.
急の場合はこのボタンを押してください。
In case of emergency, please press this button.
noun
A noun expressing the state of being in a hurry or the need for speed.
急を要する仕事なので、すぐに取りかかってください。
This is a task that requires haste, so please start on it immediately.
noun
end of a song (in gagaku or noh)
A specialized term in traditional Japanese music and theater, referring to the final, often faster, section of a piece. Seen in the concept 序破急 (jo-ha-kyū).
See also: 序破急
序破急の「急」は、曲の終わりの部分を指す。
The 急 in 序破急 refers to the final part of a musical piece.
突然 is more specifically 'sudden' and often used for unexpected events, while 急 covers a wider range including urgency, steepness, and speed.
緊急 is a noun/adjectival noun meaning 'emergency' or 'urgent', often used in formal contexts like 緊急事態 (state of emergency), whereas 急 is more general and can be used in everyday situations.
The kanji 急 is a phono-semantic compound. The semantic component is 心 (heart), and the phonetic component is 及 (reach). The original meaning relates to a hurried or pressed state of mind, which extended to concepts of suddenness, urgency, and steepness.