A2 adverb #2,500 가장 일반적인 9분 분량

急に

suddenly

kyuu ni
At the A1 level, '急に' (kyū ni) is taught as a simple way to say 'suddenly.' It is used to describe basic changes in the environment or simple actions. For example, 'Suddenly it rained' or 'He suddenly stopped.' Learners at this stage should focus on the basic pattern: [Something] + [kyū ni] + [Verb]. It is a very useful word for making simple stories more interesting by adding a small element of surprise. You don't need to worry about complex nuances yet; just use it whenever something happens fast and you didn't expect it.
At the A2 level, you begin to use '急に' in more varied contexts, such as describing physical sensations or social situations. You might say 'I suddenly felt sick' or 'The bus suddenly stopped.' You also learn the difference between the adverb 'kyū ni' and the adjective 'kyū na' (e.g., 'a sudden rain'). This is the level where you start using 'kyū ni' to apologize for things, like 'Sorry for the sudden call.' It helps you connect sentences and explain why things changed unexpectedly in your daily life.
At the B1 level, '急に' is used to describe more abstract changes, such as shifts in plans, opinions, or economic trends. You might discuss how a project 'suddenly became difficult' or how someone 'suddenly changed their mind.' You should also start comparing 'kyū ni' with 'totsuzen' and 'ikinari.' At this stage, you are expected to use 'kyū ni' naturally in conversation to manage the flow of information, especially when explaining reasons for unexpected behavior or events in a narrative.
At the B2 level, you use '急に' to express nuance and emphasis. You understand that while 'kyū ni' is common, using it in formal writing might be replaced by 'totsuzen' or 'totsujo.' You can use it to describe complex social dynamics, such as a 'sudden change in public opinion' or a 'sudden shift in market demand.' You are also aware of its use in idiomatic expressions and how it interacts with different verb aspects (like the 'start doing' form ~dasu) to create specific rhetorical effects.
At the C1 level, '急に' is understood within a broad range of synonyms and literary alternatives. You can analyze why an author chose 'kyū ni' over 'fui ni' or 'niwaka ni' to create a specific atmosphere. You use it in sophisticated arguments to describe abrupt transitions in logic or historical shifts. You are also sensitive to the register of the word, knowing exactly when it adds a touch of personal perspective versus when a more objective term is required for professional documentation.
At the C2 level, mastery of '急に' involves an intuitive grasp of its rhythmic and emotional impact within high-level discourse. You can use it to describe the most subtle and profound changes in human consciousness or philosophical states. You understand its historical etymology and how the concept of 'kyū' (urgency/suddenness) permeates Japanese culture and aesthetics. Your usage is indistinguishable from a native speaker, employing it with perfect timing to convey shock, irony, or clinical observation.

急に 30초 만에

  • 急に (kyū ni) is the most common Japanese adverb for 'suddenly,' used for unexpected changes in weather, mood, or physical movement.
  • It is the adverbial form of the adjective 急 (kyū), which means urgent or steep, emphasizing the lack of transition time.
  • In social contexts, it is often used to apologize for making requests or changes on short notice, showing politeness and awareness.
  • While similar to 'totsuzen' and 'ikinari,' 'kyū ni' is versatile and suitable for both casual and formal everyday situations.

The Japanese adverb 急に (kyū ni) is a fundamental building block for describing events that occur without warning, preparation, or expectation. At its core, it signifies a temporal rupture—a moment where the status quo is abruptly interrupted by a new state of affairs. In the Japanese linguistic landscape, kyū ni functions as the adverbial form of the na-adjective 急だ (kyū-da), which means 'sudden' or 'urgent'. When you use this word, you are highlighting the lack of a transition period. It is the linguistic equivalent of a jump-cut in a film. Whether it is a change in weather, a change in emotion, or a change in physical movement, kyū ni provides the necessary emphasis on the unexpected nature of the shift.

Temporal Immediacy
Refers to things happening in a split second or much faster than anticipated by the observer.
Lack of Preparation
Implies that the subject or the environment was not ready for the change that occurred.
External Causality
Often used when the cause of the change is outside the speaker's immediate control.

空が暗くなって、急に雨が降り出しました。 (The sky turned dark, and it suddenly started to rain.)

Understanding kyū ni requires recognizing its versatility. It can be used in casual conversation with friends, such as when someone suddenly changes the topic of conversation, or in formal reports describing a sudden drop in stock prices. The kanji (kyū) itself carries meanings of 'hurry,' 'emergency,' and 'steepness.' This visual and conceptual history informs the adverb; just as a steep hill (急坂 - kyūzaka) forces an immediate change in effort, kyū ni forces an immediate change in the narrative flow. It is one of the first adverbs learners encounter because it is essential for storytelling and describing daily life where plans often go awry.

彼は急に立ち上がって、部屋を出て行きました。 (He suddenly stood up and left the room.)

In terms of syntax, kyū ni usually precedes the verb it modifies. However, for stylistic emphasis, it can occasionally appear at the beginning of a sentence. It is often paired with the auxiliary verb ~出す (~dasu) to indicate the sudden start of an action, as in nakidasu (to burst into tears) or furidasu (to start raining). This combination reinforces the 'suddenness' by focusing on the inception of the act. In psychological contexts, it describes shifts in mood that seem irrational or unprovoked, making it a key word for describing human behavior and emotional volatility.

昨日まで元気だったのに、急に病気になりました。 (Even though I was fine until yesterday, I suddenly got sick.)

Syntactic Flexibility
Can modify verbs, adjectives, or entire clauses depending on the speaker's intent.
Emotional Nuance
Can convey shock, annoyance, or simple observation of a natural phenomenon.

そんなに急に言われても困ります。 (Even if you tell me so suddenly, I'll be in trouble/I don't know what to do.)

パソコンが急に動かなくなりました。 (The computer suddenly stopped working.)

Using 急に (kyū ni) effectively involves understanding its placement and the types of verbs it most naturally modifies. As an adverb, its primary role is to add a layer of 'unexpectedness' to an action. It is most frequently placed directly before the verb, but it can also be separated by other particles or adverbs for emphasis. For example, in the sentence Kyū ni ame ga futta (It suddenly rained), the focus is on the rain. In Ame ga kyū ni futta, the focus is slightly more on the sudden nature of the event itself. This flexibility allows speakers to paint vivid pictures of events as they unfold in real-time or in retrospect.

One of the most common grammatical patterns involving kyū ni is its use with verbs of change, such as なる (naru - to become), 変わる (kawaru - to change), or 止まる (tomaru - to stop). Because these verbs already imply a transition, kyū ni serves to accelerate that transition in the listener's mind. For instance, kyū ni samuku natta (it suddenly got cold) suggests a drop in temperature that was noticeable and perhaps uncomfortable. Without kyū ni, the sentence simply states a change in temperature; with it, the sentence conveys the speaker's surprise or reaction to that change.

In social interactions, kyū ni is often used in the context of requests or invitations that lack sufficient lead time. If you ask a friend to help you move house tomorrow, you might start with Kyū ni gomen ne... (Sorry for the suddenness...). This usage is crucial for maintaining 'wa' (harmony) in Japanese culture, as it acknowledges that you are disrupting the other person's schedule. It transforms a potentially rude demand into a polite, self-aware request. Similarly, when declining a sudden invitation, one might say Kyū na yotei ga haitte... (A sudden plan came up...), using the adjective form kyū na to justify the inability to attend.

When comparing kyū ni to other similar adverbs like いきなり (ikinari) or 突然 (totsuzen), kyū ni is the most 'all-purpose.' Ikinari often carries a nuance of skipping steps or being rude (e.g., entering a room without knocking), while totsuzen is more formal and often used for objective, large-scale events (e.g., a sudden earthquake). Kyū ni sits comfortably in the middle, suitable for both subjective feelings and objective observations. It is the 'safe' choice for learners who want to express that something happened fast and unexpectedly without worrying too much about specific social nuances.

You will encounter 急に (kyū ni) in almost every facet of Japanese life, from the mundane to the dramatic. In daily conversation, it is the go-to word for explaining why you are late, why you changed your mind, or why you are feeling a certain way. Friends might ask, 'Why did you suddenly (kyū ni) start laughing?' or 'Why did you suddenly (kyū ni) buy a new car?' In these contexts, the word serves as a bridge to further explanation, prompting the speaker to provide the reason behind the abrupt change.

In the realm of media and entertainment, kyū ni is a staple of anime and drama scripts. It is used to heighten tension or create comedic effect. A character might kyū ni confess their love, or a villain might kyū ni appear behind the hero. The word helps to signal a shift in the narrative beat, preparing the audience for a new development. In news broadcasts, you will hear it during weather reports ('The wind suddenly became strong') or financial segments ('The yen suddenly weakened'). Here, it provides a sense of urgency and immediacy to the reporting.

Public announcements also frequently utilize the root kyū. On trains, you might hear Kyū-teisha ni go-chūi kudasai (Please be careful of sudden stops). While this uses the noun form, the underlying concept is identical to kyū ni. It warns passengers of an impending, non-gradual change in motion. Similarly, in medical or emergency contexts, kyū-hen (sudden change in condition) is used to describe a patient's health taking a turn for the worse. Understanding kyū ni thus provides a foundation for understanding a wide array of related terms used in professional and public safety environments.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with 急に (kyū ni) is confusing it with its adjective form 急な (kyū na). Remember that kyū ni is an adverb and must modify a verb or another adjective. You cannot say *kyū ni yotei (a sudden plan); instead, you must use the adjective form: kyū na yotei. Conversely, you shouldn't say *kyū na magatta (suddenly turned); it must be kyū ni magatta. Keeping the ni (adverbial) and na (adjectival) distinction clear is vital for grammatical accuracy.

Another common error is the over-reliance on kyū ni when a more specific word might be appropriate. For example, when describing someone doing something without any prior notice or out of order, いきなり (ikinari) might be better. If a stranger starts talking to you on the street, ikinari captures the social inappropriateness better than kyū ni. While kyū ni is rarely 'wrong,' using it exclusively can make your Japanese sound a bit repetitive or flat. Learners should strive to eventually distinguish between the 'suddenness' of time (kyū ni) and the 'suddenness' of sequence (ikinari).

Finally, learners sometimes struggle with the placement of kyū ni in complex sentences. While it is flexible, placing it too far from the verb it modifies can lead to ambiguity. For instance, in a sentence with multiple clauses, placing kyū ni at the very beginning might make it unclear which action was sudden. Does it refer to the person leaving, or the person arriving? To avoid confusion, it is usually best to place kyū ni immediately before the specific action that was unexpected. This ensures that the listener correctly attributes the 'suddenness' to the intended event.

Japanese has a rich vocabulary for expressing 'suddenness,' and 急に (kyū ni) is just one part of a larger spectrum. The most common synonym is 突然 (totsuzen). While kyū ni is common in speech, totsuzen is more frequent in writing and formal speeches. Totsuzen often implies a greater degree of surprise or a more significant event, like a totsuzen no houmotsu (a sudden visit) or totsuzen no shi (sudden death). If kyū ni is a 'pop,' totsuzen is a 'bang.'

Another important word is いきなり (ikinari). This word focuses on the lack of preliminary steps or the violation of an expected order. For example, if someone tries to eat dessert before the main course, you would use ikinari. It carries a nuance of 'all of a sudden' but with a hint of 'without warning' or 'skipping the process.' In contrast, kyū ni focuses more on the speed and timing of the change itself. Then there is 不意に (fui ni), which translates to 'unexpectedly' or 'unintentionally.' It is often used when something happens when you are off-guard, like fui ni omoidasu (to suddenly/unexpectedly remember something).

For more specific contexts, you might encounter 俄かに (niwaka ni), which is often used for weather (niwaka-ame - sudden shower) or when a situation suddenly becomes believable or popular. There is also 突如 (totsujo), an even more formal and dramatic version of totsuzen, often found in literature or historical accounts to describe the sudden appearance of an army or a new discovery. Understanding these nuances allows a speaker to choose the exact 'flavor' of suddenness they wish to convey, moving beyond the basic utility of kyū ni.

How Formal Is It?

격식체

""

난이도

알아야 할 문법

수준별 예문

1

急に雨が降りました。

Suddenly it rained.

Adverb + Verb (past tense).

2

猫が急に走りました。

The cat suddenly ran.

Subject + Particle + Adverb + Verb.

3

急に止まってください。

Please stop suddenly.

Adverb + Verb (te-form) + kudasai.

4

電気が急に消えました。

The light suddenly went out.

Noun + Particle + Adverb + Verb.

5

急に寒くなりました。

It suddenly became cold.

Adverb + Adjective (naru form).

6

彼は急に笑いました。

He suddenly laughed.

Subject + Adverb + Verb.

7

急に道が曲がります。

The road turns suddenly.

Adverb + Noun + Verb.

8

お腹が急に痛くなりました。

My stomach suddenly started hurting.

Body part + Adverb + Adjective (naru form).

1

急に予定が変わってしまいました。

The schedule has suddenly changed.

Adverb + Noun + Verb (shimau form).

2

急に電話してすみません。

Sorry for calling you suddenly.

Adverb + Verb (te-form) + sumimasen.

3

バスが急に止まったので驚きました。

I was surprised because the bus stopped suddenly.

Adverb + Verb (past) + node (reason).

4

急に仕事が忙しくなりました。

Work suddenly became busy.

Adverb + Noun + Adjective (naru form).

5

昨日、急に友達が家に来ました。

Yesterday, a friend suddenly came to my house.

Time + Adverb + Subject + Verb.

6

急に日本語で話しかけられました。

I was suddenly spoken to in Japanese.

Adverb + Passive verb form.

7

あの人は急に怒り出すから怖いです。

That person is scary because they suddenly start getting angry.

Adverb + Verb-stem + dasu (start doing).

8

急に暗くなったので、電気をつけました。

Since it suddenly got dark, I turned on the light.

Adverb + Adjective (naru form) + node.

1

物価が急に上がり始めて、生活が大変です。

Prices have started to rise suddenly, making life difficult.

Adverb + Verb-stem + hajimete (start).

2

急にそんなことを言われても、すぐには返事できません。

Even if you tell me that so suddenly, I can't answer right away.

Adverb + Passive te-form + mo (even if).

3

彼は急に会社を辞めることになったそうです。

I heard that he is suddenly going to quit the company.

Adverb + Verb + koto ni naru (it has been decided).

4

山の天気は急に変わることがあるので注意してください。

The weather in the mountains can change suddenly, so please be careful.

Adverb + Verb + koto ga aru (sometimes happens).

5

パソコンの画面が急に真っ暗になってしまいました。

The computer screen suddenly went completely black.

Adverb + Adjective + Verb (shimau form).

6

急に思い立って、一人で旅行に行くことにしました。

I suddenly felt like it and decided to go on a trip alone.

Adverb + Verb (omoitatsu - to have a sudden idea).

7

景気が急に悪化したため、多くの企業が倒産しました。

Because the economy suddenly worsened, many companies went bankrupt.

Adverb + Verb (akkashita - worsened) + tame (because).

8

急に泣き出した赤ん坊をあやすのは大変です。

It's hard to soothe a baby who suddenly starts crying.

Adverb + Verb-stem + dasu (modifying noun).

1

交渉は順調だったが、相手側が急に条件を変更してきた。

The negotiations were going well, but the other side suddenly changed the conditions.

Adverb + Noun + Verb (kuru form indicating action toward speaker).

2

急にブレーキを踏むと、後続車に追突される恐れがあります。

If you step on the brakes suddenly, there is a risk of being hit from behind.

Adverb + Noun + Verb + to (if/when).

3

そのニュースを聞いて、彼女の顔色が急に青ざめた。

Hearing that news, her complexion suddenly turned pale.

Adverb + Verb (aozameru - to turn pale).

4

急に呼び出されて、何事かと思ったらただの飲み会の誘いだった。

I was called out suddenly and wondered what was up, but it was just an invite to a party.

Adverb + Passive verb + tara (when/if).

5

市場のニーズが急に変化したため、戦略の練り直しが必要だ。

Because market needs changed suddenly, a rethink of strategy is necessary.

Adverb + Verb + tame (reason).

6

彼は急に黙り込んでしまい、何を考えているのか分からなかった。

He suddenly fell silent, and I didn't know what he was thinking.

Adverb + Verb (damarikomu - to fall silent).

7

急に冷え込んできたので、慌てて冬服を引っ張り出した。

It suddenly got chilly, so I hurriedly pulled out my winter clothes.

Adverb + Verb (hiekomu - to get chilly) + node.

8

平穏な日常が、戦争によって急に奪われてしまった。

Peaceful daily life was suddenly taken away by the war.

Adverb + Passive verb + shimau.

1

政府の方針が急に転換されたことで、国民の間に混乱が広がった。

The sudden shift in government policy caused confusion to spread among the citizens.

Adverb + Verb (tenkan sareru - to be shifted).

2

急に視界が開け、目の前には壮大な景色が広がっていた。

Suddenly the view opened up, and a magnificent landscape spread out before my eyes.

Adverb + Noun + Verb (hirakeru - to open up).

3

長年沈黙を守っていた彼が、急に重い口を開いた。

He, who had kept silent for many years, suddenly began to speak (opened his heavy mouth).

Adverb + Idiomatic expression (omoi kuchi o hiraku).

4

急に襲ってきた睡魔に抗うことができず、私は眠りに落ちた。

Unable to resist the drowsiness that suddenly attacked me, I fell asleep.

Adverb + Verb (osou - to attack) + Noun.

5

その理論は、急に脚光を浴びるようになった。

That theory suddenly came into the spotlight.

Adverb + Idiomatic expression (kyakkou o abiru).

6

急に沸き起こった拍手喝采に、彼は戸惑いの表情を浮かべた。

He looked bewildered at the sudden burst of applause.

Adverb + Verb (wakiokoru - to surge up).

7

細胞が急に増殖を始めるメカニズムは、まだ完全には解明されていない。

The mechanism by which cells suddenly begin to proliferate has not yet been fully elucidated.

Adverb + Noun + Verb (zoushoku - proliferation).

8

急に現実味を帯びてきた移住計画に、家族は期待と不安を抱いている。

The family has both expectations and anxieties about the immigration plan, which has suddenly become realistic.

Adverb + Idiomatic expression (genjitsumi o obiru).

1

静寂を切り裂くように、急に鋭い悲鳴が響き渡った。

As if cutting through the silence, a sharp scream suddenly echoed throughout.

Adverb + Adjective + Noun + Verb.

2

急に悟りを開いたかのように、彼の言動は一変した。

As if he had suddenly attained enlightenment, his words and actions completely changed.

Adverb + Noun + Verb (satori o hiraku).

3

運命の歯車が急に狂い出し、彼は奈落の底へと突き落とされた。

The gears of fate suddenly went haywire, and he was plunged into the depths of hell.

Adverb + Verb-stem + dasu (metaphorical).

4

急に牙を剥いた大自然の猛威の前に、人間は無力であった。

Before the fury of nature that suddenly bared its fangs, humans were helpless.

Adverb + Idiomatic expression (kiba o muku).

5

急に収束へと向かったパンデミックだが、その傷跡は深い。

The pandemic suddenly moved toward a conclusion, but the scars are deep.

Adverb + Noun + Verb (shuusoku - conclusion/end).

6

それまで強気だった彼の態度が、急に雲散霧消した。

His previously confident attitude suddenly vanished like clouds and mist.

Adverb + Four-character idiom (unsan mushou).

7

急に顕在化した社会の歪みは、一朝一夕には解決できない。

The distortions in society that suddenly became apparent cannot be solved overnight.

Adverb + Verb (kenzai-ka - manifestation).

8

急に訪れた静謐な時間に、私は深い安らぎを覚えた。

In the sudden moment of tranquility, I felt a deep sense of peace.

Adverb + Verb + Adjective + Noun.

자주 쓰는 조합

急に雨が降る (suddenly rain)
急に止まる (suddenly stop)
急に変わる (suddenly change)
急に思い出す (suddenly remember)
急に笑い出す (suddenly start laughing)
急に忙しくなる (suddenly become busy)
急に寒くなる (suddenly get cold)
急に立ち上がる (suddenly stand up)
急に黙る (suddenly fall silent)
急に現れる (suddenly appear)

자주 쓰는 구문

急にすみません (Sorry for the suddenness)

急な用事 (Sudden business/errand)

急にどうしたの? (What happened all of a sudden?)

急に言われても (Even if you tell me so suddenly...)

急に決まった (It was decided suddenly)

急に具合が悪くなる (To suddenly feel unwell)

急に予定が入る (A plan suddenly came up)

急に道が狭くなる (The road suddenly narrows)

急に連絡する (To contact suddenly)

急に人気が出る (To suddenly become popular)

자주 혼동되는 단어

急に vs 急な

急に vs 急ぐ

急に vs 急ぎ

관용어 및 표현

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

혼동하기 쉬운

急に vs 突然

急に vs いきなり

急に vs 不意に

急に vs たまに

急に vs 直ぐに

문장 패턴

사용법

formality

Kyū ni is neutral; Totsuzen is formal.

distinction

Kyū ni vs Ikinari: Kyū ni is about time; Ikinari is about order/social norms.

자주 하는 실수
  • Use 'na' for nouns.

  • Don't double the particle.

  • The 'da' is removed when adding 'ni'.

  • Adverbs don't take 'no' to modify nouns.

  • 'Ikinari' is less natural for weather changes.

Adverbial Ni

Remember that 'ni' turns the na-adjective 'kyū' into an adverb. This is a common pattern in Japanese.

Apologetic Suddenness

Always add 'sumimasen' if your 'kyū ni' action affects someone else's schedule.

Pair with ~dasu

Pairing 'kyū ni' with the suffix '~dasu' (to start) makes your Japanese sound very natural.

Pitch Accent

Keep the 'kyū' high and drop the 'ni' for a natural sound.

Kanji usage

Always use the kanji 急 instead of hiragana to make your writing easier to read.

News keywords

Listen for 'kyū' in news to identify urgent reports or sudden changes.

Context clues

If you see 急, look for the following particle to know if it's an adverb (ni) or adjective (na).

Weather

It's the perfect word for Japan's unpredictable summer showers.

Visualizing

Visualize a car braking suddenly to remember the 'urgent' feeling of the word.

Softening

Use 'kyū na' to describe plans to make them sound like they were outside your control.

암기하기

기억법

Imagine a 'Q' (kyū) ball hitting something 'suddenly'.

어원

문화적 맥락

Japan's climate is prone to 'niwaka-ame' (sudden rain), making 'kyū ni' a daily vocabulary word.

Avoid making 'kyū na' requests to superiors.

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

대화 시작하기

"最近、急に寒くなりましたね? (It's suddenly gotten cold lately, hasn't it?)"

"急に仕事が休みになったら、何をしますか? (If you suddenly got a day off work, what would you do?)"

"急に外国に行くことになったら、どこに行きたいですか? (If you suddenly had to go to a foreign country, where would you want to go?)"

"昨日、急に雨が降って困りませんでしたか? (Weren't you troubled by the sudden rain yesterday?)"

"急に日本語が上手になった秘訣は何ですか? (What is the secret to suddenly becoming good at Japanese?)"

일기 주제

今日、急に起こった驚いた出来事について書いてください。 (Write about a surprising thing that happened suddenly today.)

急に予定が変わったとき、あなたはどう感じますか? (How do you feel when plans change suddenly?)

人生で急に大きな決断をしたことがありますか? (Have you ever made a big decision suddenly in your life?)

急に会いたくなった友達はいますか? (Is there a friend you suddenly wanted to see?)

急に大切だと思った言葉は何ですか? (What is a word you suddenly thought was important?)

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

No, you must use 'kyū na' before a noun. For example, 'kyū na ame' (sudden rain).

It is neutral. However, using it to describe your own sudden actions toward others usually requires an apology.

'Kyū ni' is more common in speech, while 'totsuzen' is more formal and used in writing.

Yes, when describing a slope, 'kyū ni magaru' can mean 'to turn sharply/steeply'.

You can say 'kyū ni nakidashita'.

Yes, like 'kyū ni ureshiku natta' (suddenly became happy).

It's redundant. Use one or the other depending on the nuance.

Usually, but it can move for emphasis.

It is 急.

Yes, it is considered basic but essential vocabulary.

셀프 테스트 180 질문

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

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