Translation guide
The English word "hurry" can be expressed in Japanese through verbs, adverbs, and set phrases that convey rushing, urgency, or doing something quickly. The most common and versatile verb is 急ぐ (isogu).
Expressing the action of hurrying or doing something with speed.
The most common verb for 'to hurry'. Can be used for both physical rushing and doing tasks quickly.
The te-form of 急ぐ, used as an adverb meaning 'hurriedly' or 'quickly'. Often used in requests.
急いで食べた。
I ate in a hurry.
Means 'to hurry' in a flustered or panicked way. Often implies being rushed and making mistakes.
慌てないで。
Don't rush (and make mistakes).
To hurry someone else; to rush or pressure someone. More direct and can be rude.
彼を急かさないで。
Don't rush him.
Describing the state of being rushed or having little time.
The progressive form of 急ぐ, meaning 'I am in a hurry' or 'I am rushing'.
すみません、急いでいます。
Sorry, I'm in a hurry.
Literally 'there is no time'. A common way to express being in a hurry because of time pressure.
時間がないから、急ごう。
We don't have time, so let's hurry.
Telling or encouraging someone to speed up.
The most direct and common way to say 'Hurry up!'
急いで！遅れるよ。
Hurry up! We'll be late.
Means 'Quickly!' or 'Hurry up!'. Very common in casual speech.
早く！バスが来るよ。
Hurry! The bus is coming.
The volitional form of 急ぐ, meaning 'Let's hurry'. Used to urge a group.
急ごう、みんな。
Let's hurry, everyone.
Expressing the opposite: taking one's time or not rushing.
Negative te-form of 急ぐ, meaning 'without hurrying' or 'take your time'.
急がないでください。
Please don't hurry. / Take your time.
Adverb meaning 'slowly' or 'at a leisurely pace'. Often used to tell someone to relax and not rush.
ゆっくりしていってね。
Take your time and relax.
The verb 急ぐ is intransitive in the sense of 'to hurry oneself'. To express hurrying someone else, use 急かす (せかす) or a causative form like 急がせる (いそがせる), but these can sound pushy. Often, 急いで！ or 早く！ is enough.
急ぐ is neutral 'to hurry'. 慌てる implies fluster, panic, or being rushed to the point of confusion. 慌てる often has a negative nuance of making mistakes due to haste.