Meaning
To move or act with great speed.
Cultural Background
The 'walking speed' in Tokyo is often cited as one of the fastest in the world. People are constantly {急|い}いでいる to maintain the strict social schedule. In Japanese business, 'ASAP' is often expressed as '{至|し}急' (shikyuu). However, using it too much can be seen as poor planning. Characters often shout '{急|い}げ！' (Isoge!) during action scenes. This is the imperative form and is very masculine and aggressive. When you are in a hurry and need to get past someone, it is polite to say 'Sumimasen' rather than 'Isoide kudasai' (which sounds like you are ordering them).
Use 'Isoide' for requests
If you want someone to hurry, just saying 'Isoide!' is the most natural way among friends.
Avoid 'Isoge!'
Unless you are an anime protagonist or in a life-or-death situation, 'Isoge!' sounds too aggressive.
Meaning
To move or act with great speed.
Use 'Isoide' for requests
If you want someone to hurry, just saying 'Isoide!' is the most natural way among friends.
Avoid 'Isoge!'
Unless you are an anime protagonist or in a life-or-death situation, 'Isoge!' sounds too aggressive.
The 'Isogashii' connection
Remember that 'Isogashii' (busy) and 'Isogu' (hurry) share the same root. If you are busy, you will likely need to hurry!
Test Yourself
Choose the correct form to complete the sentence: '{電|でん}{車|しゃ}に{遅|おく}れそうなので、____。'
I'm going to be late for the train, so I will hurry.
{急|い}ぎます is the polite verb form. '{急|い}ぐです' is grammatically incorrect.
Fill in the blank with the correct 'te-form' to say 'Please hurry.'
すみません、ちょっと____ください。
For verbs ending in 'gu', the te-form ends in 'ide'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Which phrase fits a business email asking for a quick reply?
This is a polite way to acknowledge that you are asking the other person to hurry.
Complete the dialogue.
A: {結|けっ}婚を____。 B: まだ{付|つ}き{合|あ}って一ヶ月でしょ？
A is stating their current desire/state of rushing into marriage.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Isogu vs Hayai vs Isogashii
Practice Bank
4 exercisesI'm going to be late for the train, so I will hurry.
{急|い}ぎます is the polite verb form. '{急|い}ぐです' is grammatically incorrect.
すみません、ちょっと____ください。
For verbs ending in 'gu', the te-form ends in 'ide'.
Which phrase fits a business email asking for a quick reply?
This is a polite way to acknowledge that you are asking the other person to hurry.
A: {結|けっ}婚を____。 B: まだ{付|つ}き{合|あ}って一ヶ月でしょ？
A is stating their current desire/state of rushing into marriage.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsIt can be both. You can 'hurry' (intransitive) or 'hurry a task' (transitive).
No, use {速|はや}い for speed. {急|い}ぐ is for the action of hurrying.
{急|い}ぐ is the physical act; {焦|あせ}る is the mental panic.
Say '{急|い}いでいます' (Isoide imasu).
It means 'More haste, less speed' or 'Slow and steady wins the race.'
Related Phrases
{焦|あせ}る
similarTo panic or feel impatient.
{急|せ}かす
specialized formTo hurry someone else up.
{速|はや}める
similarTo accelerate or move up a schedule.
{急|きゅう}ぐ
synonymAn older, more literary way to say hurry.
