When something needs to happen right away, you can use 早急な (sakkyū na). Imagine your friend needs help with something very important, and they say it's 早急な matter. This means they need your help urgently!
It's similar to words like 「緊急の」 (kinkyū no) for 'emergency' or 「すぐの」 (sugu no) for 'immediate'. However, 早急な often carries a nuance of expecting prompt action or resolution.
You might hear this in a work setting if a task is time-sensitive. For example, a boss might say, 「早急な対応をお願いします」 (sakkyū na taiō o onegai shimasu), meaning 'Please handle this promptly.'
So, if you want to express that something is pressing and requires quick attention, 早急な is a good word to use!
§ Understanding 早急な (sōkyū na)
The Japanese adjective 早急な (sōkyū na) translates to urgent, prompt, or immediate. It conveys a strong sense of necessity for quick action. You'll often hear it in business settings or when talking about situations that require a swift response.
§ Similar Words and When to Use Them
Let's look at some other words that are similar to 早急な (sōkyū na) and understand when to use each one. Choosing the right word makes your Japanese sound more natural.
- 緊急な (kinkyū na)
- This also means "urgent" or "emergency." While 早急な (sōkyū na) emphasizes the speed of action, 緊急な (kinkyū na) highlights the critical or dangerous nature of the situation itself. Think of it as a higher stakes "urgent."
緊急な事態が発生しました。
Translation hint: An emergency situation has occurred.
- 至急 (shikyū)
- 至急 (shikyū) is a noun or an adverb that means "immediately" or "as soon as possible." It's often used in formal requests or instructions when you want something done very quickly. While 早急な (sōkyū na) describes the *state* of being urgent, 至急 (shikyū) is more about the *action* of doing something immediately.
この書類を至急提出してください。
Translation hint: Please submit these documents immediately.
- 大至急 (daishikyū)
- This is simply an intensified version of 至急 (shikyū), meaning "very urgently" or "with utmost urgency." Use it when the situation is extremely critical and requires immediate attention above all else.
この問題は大至急解決しなければなりません。
Translation hint: This problem must be resolved very urgently.
- 早速 (sassoku)
- 早速 (sassoku) means "immediately," "at once," or "without delay." It often implies doing something quickly after an opportunity arises or a decision is made. It has a slightly softer nuance than 至急 (shikyū) and can be used in more casual contexts. It's about taking action promptly, but not necessarily because of a dire emergency.
良い考えですね。私も早速試してみます。
Translation hint: That's a good idea. I'll try it right away too.
§ Key Differences Summarized
- 早急な (sōkyū na): Emphasizes promptness and speed of action, often for efficiency.
- 緊急な (kinkyū na): Highlights a critical or dangerous situation requiring immediate attention to avoid harm.
- 至急 (shikyū): A direct command or request for immediate action.
- 大至急 (daishikyū): An intensified version of 至急, for extreme urgency.
- 早速 (sassoku): Acting quickly on an opportunity or decision, with a slightly softer, more casual nuance.
By understanding these differences, you can choose the most appropriate word to express urgency in your Japanese conversations and writing. Practice using them in different contexts to get a feel for their nuances!
Fun Fact
早急 (soukyuu) was originally pronounced さうきふ (saukifu) in Old Japanese, with the modern pronunciation becoming more common over time.
Examples by Level
早急な返事をお願いします。
Please give me an urgent reply.
早急な対応が必要です。
Prompt action is needed.
早急に報告してください。
Please report immediately.
早急な解決策を見つけましょう。
Let's find an urgent solution.
これは早急な問題です。
This is an immediate problem.
早急な変更は難しいです。
Urgent changes are difficult.
早急に準備してください。
Please prepare promptly.
早急な対応に感謝します。
I appreciate your prompt response.
早急な対応をお願いいたします。
We kindly request your urgent response.
この問題には早急な解決策が必要です。
This problem requires an immediate solution.
早急にご連絡いたします。
I will contact you promptly.
その件については早急な処理が求められています。
Prompt processing is required for that matter.
早急なご判断をお待ちしております。
We await your swift decision.
早急に手を打つべきだ。
We should take immediate action.
早急な行動が成功の鍵です。
Prompt action is the key to success.
早急な改善を期待しています。
I expect immediate improvement.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
この件については、早急な対応が必要です。
Regarding this matter, an urgent response is necessary.
早急に問題を解決しましょう。
Let's resolve the problem promptly.
早急に連絡してください。
Please contact me urgently.
早急な返事をお待ちしております。
I am awaiting your prompt reply.
サービスの早急な改善を求めます。
I request immediate improvement of the service.
書類を早急に処理する必要があります。
We need to process the documents urgently.
その提案について早急な検討をお願いします。
Please consider that proposal promptly.
早急な手配をお願いいたします。
We kindly request urgent arrangements.
早急な対策を講じるべきです。
We should take immediate countermeasures.
この事態には早急な対応策が必要です。
This situation requires an urgent response measure.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'so cute' (sō kyū) when something is so cute you need it immediately or urgently.
Visual Association
Imagine a tiny, adorable animal, like a hamster, running incredibly fast because it needs to get somewhere immediately. The cuteness makes you want to help it promptly.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to use '早急な' in three different sentences in your daily life. For example, 'I need a 早急な coffee' or 'This situation requires a 早急な decision.'
Word Origin
From Middle Chinese 早 (tsau) 'early' and 急 (kip) 'urgent.'
Original meaning: Early urgency or haste.
Sino-Japanese (kango)Cultural Context
When Japanese people use 早急な (soukyuu na), it often carries a stronger sense of immediacy and necessity than simply 'urgent' in English. It implies that something needs to be addressed very quickly, often due to a pressing situation or a critical deadline. You'll frequently hear this word in business settings or when discussing matters that require immediate action.
Test Yourself 24 questions
This is an urgent problem. (Listen for 'urgent')
Please respond promptly. (Listen for 'prompt')
Please prepare immediately. (Listen for 'immediately')
Read this aloud:
早急に手伝ってください。
Focus: そうきゅうに (soukyuu ni)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
これは早急な用事です。
Focus: ようじ (youji)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
早急な返事が必要です。
Focus: へんじ (henji)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
'早急に' (urgently/immediately) modifies '必要です' (is necessary).
'これら' (these) and '早急な' (urgent) modify '問題' (problems), followed by the verb '解決しましょう' (let's solve).
'早急な' (prompt/immediate) modifies '対応' (response/action), which is the subject of '求められます' (is required).
Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: 彼の状況は___解決を必要としている。
The sentence indicates a situation that needs immediate resolution. 「早急な」 (sakyū na) means 'urgent' or 'prompt', fitting the context perfectly. The other options do not convey the same sense of urgency.
Which of the following phrases best expresses the meaning of needing something done immediately?
「早急な対応が求められる」 (sakyū na taiō ga motomerareru) directly translates to 'an urgent response is required', which perfectly captures the idea of needing something done immediately. The other options refer to long-term plans, careful consideration, or a flexible approach, none of which imply immediate action.
Select the sentence where 「早急な」 is used correctly.
「早急な」 (sakyū na) modifies nouns to indicate urgency or promptness. In the correct sentence, it appropriately describes a 'solution' (解決策) that is needed urgently. It does not typically describe speed, art, or weather forecasts in this manner.
「早急な」 can be used interchangeably with 「遅い」 (osoi) in all contexts.
「早急な」 (sakyū na) means 'urgent' or 'prompt', while 「遅い」 (osoi) means 'slow' or 'late'. They are antonyms, not interchangeable. Therefore, the statement is false.
If a task requires 「早急な処理」 (sakyū na shori), it means the task should be handled without delay.
「早急な処理」 (sakyū na shori) translates to 'urgent processing'. This implies that the task needs to be addressed promptly and without delay. Therefore, the statement is true.
A situation described as 「早急な」 typically suggests that there is ample time for deliberation.
「早急な」 (sakyū na) means 'urgent' or 'immediate'. This suggests a lack of time and a need for prompt action, not ample time for deliberation. Therefore, the statement is false.
The speaker is talking about a required response.
The speaker is discussing the need for a solution.
The speaker is asking for contact to be made.
Read this aloud:
早急な返答をお願いいたします。
Focus: はっきりと「早急な」と発音する練習をしましょう。
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
その問題には早急な対処が必要です。
Focus: 「対処」の「しょ」を丁寧に発音するよう意識してください。
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
早急な情報共有が不可欠です。
Focus: 「不可欠」の「ふか」と「けつ」の間の区切りを意識してください。
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
/ 24 correct
Perfect score!
Example
早急な対応が必要です。
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More business words
遅めに
B1Late or later than usual.
経理
B1Accounting, accounts department; managing financial records.
的確な
B1Accurate; precise; exactly correct.
達成する
B1To achieve; to accomplish a goal.
活性化
B2To make something more active, lively, or effective. It is used for communities (revitalization), economies (stimulation), and biological processes (activation).
付加
B2To add or attach something extra to an existing thing to increase its value or function.
優位性
B2The state of being in a superior or more advantageous position compared to others; an edge or competitive advantage.
有利
A2Advantageous, favorable; beneficial in a situation.
有利に
B1Advantageously; favorably.
宣伝する
B1To promote; to publicize; to advertise.
