急ぐ
いそぐ·isogu
Meaning
to hurry; to rush; to be in a hurry
Nuance & Usage
急ぐ is a godan verb meaning to hurry or rush. Common expressions: 急いで (isoide — hurriedly, in a hurry), 急がなくていい (no need to hurry), 急ぎの用件 (urgent business). The て-form 急いで is frequently used as an adverb: 急いで行く (go in a hurry). Note: 急ぐ is intransitive — you can't say 誰かを急ぐ. The related noun is 急ぎ (isogi — urgency). 急がば回れ (isogaba mawarê) is a proverb meaning "more haste, less speed."
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes overuse 急ぐ where 急いで as an adverb is more natural. The set expression 急いで！ (Hurry up!) is very natural. Also: don't confuse 急ぐ (to hurry, about speed) with 焦る (aseru — to be flustered/anxious from rushing). 急いでいる (I'm in a hurry) is a practical phrase for politely excusing yourself. The proverb 急がば回れ (Take the roundabout way if you're in a hurry) is worth learning.
Example Sentences (3)
電車に間に合うように急ぎましょう。
でんしゃにまにあうようにいそぎましょう。
Let's hurry so we can catch the train.
急ぐ必要はないので、ゆっくり来てください。
いそぐひつようはないので、ゆっくりきてください。
There's no need to hurry, so please come at your own pace.
急ぎの仕事が入ったので、先に帰ります。
いそぎのしごとがはいったので、さきにかえります。
I have urgent work that's come up, so I'll be leaving first.
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Quick Quiz
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