Translation guide
The English verb 'hasten' can mean to hurry up, to speed something up, or to move quickly toward a place. This guide covers natural Japanese ways to express these ideas, from casual commands to formal written phrases.
Expressing that someone should hurry or is hurrying, often in commands or descriptions of rushing.
The most common and versatile verb for 'to hurry' or 'to be in a hurry'. Can be used in many contexts.
A common casual phrase meaning 'I have to hurry' or 'We'd better hurry'. Often used when realizing you're late.
急がないと遅れるよ。
We'd better hurry or we'll be late.
Means to hurry in a flustered or panicked way. Often used when someone is rushing and making mistakes.
慌てないで。
Don't rush (and mess up).
To hurry in a breathless, eager manner. Somewhat literary or dramatic.
彼は急き込んで部屋に入ってきた。
He hastened into the room breathlessly.
Making something happen faster, such as work, a decision, or a natural process.
Can also be used transitively to mean 'hasten something', like work or preparations.
準備を急いでください。
Please hasten the preparations.
Transitive verb meaning to bring something forward in time or to speed up a process. Often used with deadlines, schedules, or natural processes.
Formal term meaning 'to promote' or 'to accelerate', often used in business or technical contexts.
政府は改革を促進しようとしている。
The government is trying to hasten reforms.
Transitive verb meaning to increase speed, often used for physical movement or tempo. Same reading as 早める but different nuance.
Describing movement toward a place with a sense of urgency or speed.
Literally 'go in a hurry'. The most straightforward way to say 'hasten to a place'.
彼は家に急いで行った。
He hastened home.
To rush to a place, often in response to an emergency or call. Implies urgency and purpose.
消防士が現場に駆けつけた。
Firefighters hastened to the scene.
Archaic or very formal term for hastening to someone's side, often in a feudal or loyal context.
急ぐ (isogu) is a general verb for hurrying oneself or something. 早める (hayameru) means to advance a time or schedule, while 速める (hayameru) means to increase speed. Both 早める and 速める are transitive and share the same reading but different kanji.
会議の時間を早める。
Hasten the meeting time (make it earlier).
テンポを速める。
Hasten the tempo (make it faster).
English 'hasten' can sound formal or old-fashioned. In Japanese, using 急ぐ or 早める is usually sufficient. Avoid overly literary words like 急き込む or 馳せ参じる unless you want a dramatic effect.
Let's hasten our departure.
その薬は回復を早めた。
The medicine hastened his recovery.
車の速度を速めた。
He hastened the car's speed.
家臣たちは主君のもとへ馳せ参じた。
The retainers hastened to their lord's side.