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
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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