Translation guide
How to express being in a hurry or rushing in Japanese, covering common phrases, verbs, and situational expressions.
I'm in a hurry.
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.
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.
Literally 'I have no time.' Often used to explain why you are in a hurry.
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.
Telling or asking someone to hurry up.
Simple command meaning 'Hurry up!' Used in casual to semi-formal situations.
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.
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.
Eat quickly.
I have to hurry, so let's talk later.
I ate breakfast in a hurry.
Adverb meaning 'in a fluster' or 'hurriedly,' often with a nuance of panic or confusion.
I left the house in a hurry.
Means 'in a great hurry' or 'at top speed.' Emphasizes extreme rush.
I got ready in a big hurry.
Hurry up! The bus is coming.
Means 'quickly' or 'hurry up.' Very common in casual speech.
If you don't hurry, you'll be late.
Polite request: 'Please hurry.' Use with strangers or superiors.
Please hurry. We don't have much time.
Sorry, I have to go now.
Means 'I must hurry home.' Used when you need to leave and go home quickly.
I have to hurry home, so please excuse me.
Eat in a hurry (because we're late).