This page in your language
فارسی العربية Deutsch Español Français 日本語 한국어 Português 中文 हिन्दी
A1 adjective #2,000 most common 8 min read

급하다

geuphada
At the A1 level, '급하다' is primarily used to express immediate personal needs or a general sense of being in a hurry. Learners should focus on the most common phrase: '화장실이 급해요' (I need the bathroom urgently). This is a vital survival phrase. Another key usage is '마음이 급해요' (I'm in a hurry/I feel rushed). At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex nuances; just remember that '급하다' means something needs to happen 'now.' You will often see it in the polite present tense '급해요' or the past tense '급했어요.' It's also helpful to know '급한 일' (urgent work/matter) to explain why you might be leaving a place quickly. The focus is on simple subject-adjective sentences.
At the A2 level, you begin to use '급하다' to describe personality and more varied situations. You'll learn the common collocation '성격이 급하다' (to have an impatient personality). This is a very common way Koreans describe themselves or others. You also start using the adverbial form '급하게' (urgently/hastily) to describe how an action is performed, such as '급하게 먹다' (to eat quickly) or '급하게 가다' (to go in a hurry). You should also be able to distinguish '급하다' from '빠르다' (fast) in basic contexts. For example, understanding that a situation is '급하다' while a car is '빠르다.' You might also use it in negative sentences like '안 급해요' (It's not urgent) to reassure others.
At the B1 level, the usage of '급하다' extends to more abstract and social contexts. You will encounter it in compound words and more formal settings. For instance, '급정거' (sudden stop) or '급경사' (steep slope). You'll also start to see it used in more complex grammar structures like '-아/어서' (because) or '-(으)니까' (since). For example, '급해서 전화를 못 받았어요' (I couldn't answer the phone because I was in a hurry). You should also be comfortable using it to describe external pressures, such as '돈이 급하다' (to be in urgent need of money) or '도움이 급하다' (to be in urgent need of help). The nuance of 'suddenness' becomes more prominent at this level.
At the B2 level, you should be able to appreciate the nuance between '급하다' and its synonyms like '조급하다' (impatient/anxious) and '다급하다' (desperate). You will see '급하다' used in news reports and articles to describe '급격한 변화' (drastic/sudden change) or '급물살을 타다' (to gain sudden momentum). You'll understand that '급하다' can describe not just a person's speed, but the critical nature of a social or economic issue. You should be able to use it in more formal speech styles and written Korean, recognizing when '급격히' or '신속히' might be more appropriate. You also learn idiomatic expressions like '급할수록 돌아가라' (The more haste, the less speed).
At the C1 level, '급하다' is understood in its full range of literary and metaphorical applications. You can use it to describe the '급박한 상황' (imminent/urgent situation) in a story or a historical event. You understand the Hanja roots (急) and how they relate to other words like '긴급' (emergency), '신속' (rapidity), and '조급증' (impatience/anxiety disorder). You can discuss the cultural implications of the 'Pali-pali' culture and how '급한 성격' has shaped Korean society. Your usage is precise; you know exactly when to use '급하다' versus '촉박하다' when discussing deadlines in a professional environment. You can also use the word to describe sudden changes in emotions or health conditions (e.g., '급체' - sudden indigestion).
At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of '급하다.' You can use it in highly sophisticated ways, such as in academic writing or creative literature, to describe the '급변하는 국제 정세' (rapidly changing international situation). You are aware of archaic or highly formal variations and can interpret the word's meaning in classical texts or proverbs with ease. You can use '급하다' to describe the tempo of music, the flow of a narrative, or the intensity of a philosophical argument. Your ability to use the word is fluid, incorporating it into complex rhetorical devices. You understand the subtle irony when someone says "그렇게 급하면 어제 오지 그랬어?" (If you were in such a hurry, why didn't you come yesterday?) and can use such nuances in your own speech.
Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

급하다 in 30 Seconds

  • 급하다 means urgent, hasty, or sudden, often used for time-sensitive tasks or impatient personalities.
  • Commonly used in '화장실이 급하다' (need bathroom) and '성격이 급하다' (impatient personality).
  • Distinguish from '빠르다' (fast/velocity); '급하다' is about the necessity of speed or the feeling of pressure.
  • Essential for expressing urgency in business, daily life, and emergency situations in Korea.

The Korean adjective 급하다 (geup-hada) is a foundational word that captures the essence of urgency, haste, and suddenness. At its core, it describes a state where time is insufficient or where an action is performed with great speed due to external or internal pressure. Derived from the Hanja 急 (급할 급), which signifies 'urgent' or 'fast,' this word permeates almost every aspect of Korean life, particularly within the famous 'Pali-pali' (hurry-hurry) culture. Whether you are talking about a project deadline, a personality trait, or a physiological need, 급하다 is the go-to descriptor.

Primary Sense
Urgency regarding time or a situation that requires immediate attention.
Secondary Sense
A personality trait describing someone who is impatient or quick-tempered.
Tertiary Sense
Suddenness, such as a sharp turn in a road or an abrupt change in circumstances.

"지금 급한 일이 생겨서 먼저 가야겠어요." (An urgent matter has come up, so I must leave first.)

Understanding 급하다 requires looking beyond just 'speed.' While 빠르다 (fast) refers to the velocity of an object or action, 급하다 refers to the necessity of that speed. If a car is fast, it is 빠르다. If you are driving fast because you are late for a wedding, your situation is 급하다. This distinction is crucial for learners. Furthermore, the word carries a psychological weight; it implies a lack of leisure (여유). When your mind is 급하다 (마음이 급하다), you feel anxious and pressured to finish something quickly, often leading to mistakes.

"성격이 급해서 실수를 자주 해요." (Because my personality is hasty, I make mistakes often.)

In a physiological context, 급하다 is the standard way to express a desperate need to use the restroom. Saying "화장실이 급해요" is much more common and natural than saying "화장실에 가고 싶어요" when the situation is pressing. This versatility—from business deadlines to personality traits to physical needs—makes it one of the most high-frequency adjectives in the Korean language. It also appears in compound words like 급정거 (sudden stop) and 급경사 (steep slope), showing how the concept of 'sudden/urgent' applies to physical geography and mechanics as well.

"길이 너무 급하게 꺾여요." (The road turns too sharply/suddenly.)

Grammatical Note
As an adjective, it cannot take an object directly. You use '이/가 급하다'.

"돈이 급해요." (I need money urgently.)

Using 급하다 correctly involves understanding its conjugation and its relationship with different particles. Since it is a descriptive verb (adjective), it follows the standard rules for Korean adjectives. In the present tense, it becomes 급해요 (polite) or 급해 (informal). When modifying a noun, it changes to 급한 (e.g., 급한 소식 - urgent news). To use it as an adverb, you add -하게 to the stem, resulting in 급하게 (urgently/hastily).

"급하게 먹으면 체해요." (If you eat hastily, you'll get indigestion.)

One of the most common structures is [Noun]이/가 급하다. This indicates that the noun is the thing that is urgent. For example, 불이 급하다 literally means 'the fire is urgent,' but it is often used metaphorically to mean a situation is critical. Another frequent pattern is 마음이 급하다, which describes the internal feeling of being rushed, even if the external situation doesn't strictly require it. This is often used when someone is nervous or excited to finish something.

Common Pattern 1
성격이 급하다: To be impatient. '우리 아빠는 성격이 급하셔요.'
Common Pattern 2
일이 급하다: Work is urgent. '급한 일부터 처리합시다.'
Common Pattern 3
상황이 급하다: The situation is critical. '상황이 급박하게 돌아가고 있다.'

In terms of social hierarchy, 급하다 is neutral, but how you express the urgency matters. To a superior, you might say "급한 보고서가 있어서 실례하겠습니다" (I have an urgent report, so please excuse me). In casual settings, simply shouting "급해!" while running to the bathroom is perfectly understood. It's also worth noting the negative form: 급하지 않다 or 안 급하다. If someone is pressuring you, you can say "안 급하니까 천천히 하세요" (It's not urgent, so take your time).

"그렇게 급할 것 없어요." (There's no need to be in such a hurry.)

Advanced learners should note the difference between 급하다 and 다급하다. While 급하다 is general urgency, 다급하다 implies a sense of being driven into a corner or a desperate, near-emergency level of urgency. For instance, if you lost your passport right before a flight, your situation is 다급하다. Using 급하다 in that situation is correct but less descriptive of the emotional intensity.

You will encounter 급하다 in a variety of real-world scenarios in Korea. In the workplace, it's perhaps the most used adjective during the morning rush or before a project launch. Managers will often label tasks as 급한 건 (urgent items). If you hear someone on the phone saying "지금 좀 급해서요," they are likely trying to end the call because they are busy or in the middle of something important.

"부장님, 급한 결재 서류가 있습니다." (Manager, there is an urgent document for approval.)

In public transport, especially on buses and subways, you might hear announcements regarding 급정거 (sudden braking). The automated voice warns, "급정거에 주의하시기 바랍니다" (Please be careful of sudden stops). This usage highlights the 'sudden' aspect of the word. Similarly, on the news, you might hear about 급물살 (rapid current/sudden momentum) when discussing political changes or economic shifts.

At the Hospital
응급실 (Emergency Room): Derived from '응' (respond) and '급' (urgent). This is where '급' is most critical.
In the Kitchen
급하게 먹다: To eat quickly. Older generations often warn children not to eat too fast to avoid '체함' (indigestion).
On the Road
급커브: A sharp/sudden curve. Signs will often warn drivers of upcoming '급커브' sections.

In K-Dramas and movies, 급하다 is frequently used in romantic or tense scenes. A character might grab another's arm and say "마음이 급해서 그래" (It's because I'm impatient/anxious), explaining why they confessed their feelings so suddenly or why they acted impulsively. It's also a staple in comedy, particularly involving the '화장실이 급하다' trope, where a character's desperate search for a restroom provides comic relief.

"뭐가 그렇게 급해? 천천히 말해 봐." (What's the big hurry? Try speaking slowly.)

Lastly, in the service industry, if a customer says "제가 좀 급해서 그런데 빨리 될까요?" (I'm in a bit of a hurry, could it be done quickly?), they are using the word to request expedited service. This is a common phrase in dry cleaners, tailors, or even fast-food restaurants when someone is on a tight schedule.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is confusing 급하다 with 빠르다 (fast). While both relate to speed, they are not interchangeable. 빠르다 describes the speed of a moving object or the time it takes to complete a task (e.g., "The car is fast," "He reads fast"). 급하다 describes the state of urgency or the impatience of a person. You cannot say "자동차가 급해요" to mean the car is fast; that would mean the car itself is in a hurry or is an urgent matter.

❌ "이 기차는 아주 급해요." (Incorrect for 'This train is very fast.')

✅ "이 기차는 아주 빨라요." (Correct)

Another common error is using the wrong particle with 급하다. Because it is an adjective, it usually takes the subject particle 이/가, not the object particle 을/를. For example, to say "I need money urgently," you say "돈이 급해요," not "돈을 급해요." Beginners often carry over the 'need' logic from English and try to use object markers.

Mistake: Particle Error
Using '을/를' instead of '이/가'. Adjectives in Korean don't take objects.
Mistake: Confusing with '서두르다'
'서두르다' is a verb (to hurry), while '급하다' is an adjective (to be urgent). You '서둘러요' (action), but your '마음이 급해요' (state).

Learners also struggle with the nuance of 성격이 급하다. Some might think it only means 'angry' or 'hot-tempered' (like 욱하다), but it more broadly means 'impatient.' A person with a 급한 성격 might just be someone who wants results immediately or walks very fast, not necessarily someone who is mean. Misinterpreting this can lead to social misunderstandings.

"저는 성격이 급해서 기다리는 걸 잘 못해요." (I'm impatient, so I'm not good at waiting.)

Finally, avoid overusing 급하다 for things that are just 'important' (중요하다). If a task is important but you have plenty of time to do it, it is 중요하다, not 급하다. Using 급하다 implies a time constraint. If you tell your boss a task is 급하다, they will expect it to be done immediately.

Korean has several words that share the semantic space of 'urgency' and 'speed.' Understanding the subtle differences between 급하다 and its synonyms will greatly enhance your fluency. The most direct relative is 다급하다. While 급하다 is a general sense of hurry, 다급하다 (da-geup-hada) suggests a more desperate, pressing urgency, often accompanied by a sense of being trapped or having no other options.

다급하다 (Desperate/Pressing)
Used when a situation is critical. '다급한 목소리로 도움을 요청했다' (He asked for help in a desperate voice).
조급하다 (Impatient/Anxious)
Focuses on the internal feeling of anxiety to get something done. '조급해하지 말고 천천히 해.' (Don't be impatient and take your time).
촉박하다 (Tight/Short of time)
Specifically used for time or deadlines. '시간이 너무 촉박해요.' (The time is too tight/short).

"마감이 촉박해서 밤을 새웠어요." (The deadline was tight, so I stayed up all night.)

Another word often confused with 급하다 is 빠르다 (fast). As discussed, 빠르다 is about velocity. There is also 이르다, which means 'early.' If you arrive 'fast,' you are 빠르다, but if you arrive before the scheduled time, you are 이르다. 급하다 doesn't fit into the 'early' category unless the reason you are early is because you were in a hurry.

"도착하기에는 아직 이른 시간이에요." (It's still too early to arrive.)

Lastly, consider the verb 서두르다 (to hurry). While 급하다 is a state, 서두르다 is the action taken because of that state. If you are 급하다, you will likely 서둘러야 (must hurry). In everyday conversation, these are often used together: "마음이 급해서 너무 서둘렀나 봐요" (I guess I hurried too much because I was impatient).

How Formal Is It?

Formal

""

Informal

""

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Examples by Level

1

화장실이 급해요.

I need the bathroom urgently.

Subject + Adjective

2

지금 좀 급해요.

I'm in a bit of a hurry right now.

Adverb + Adjective

3

급한 일이에요?

Is it an urgent matter?

Noun-modifying form '급한'

4

마음이 급해요.

I feel rushed / My heart is in a hurry.

Idiomatic expression for feeling rushed

5

안 급해요. 천천히 하세요.

It's not urgent. Take your time.

Negative form '안'

6

급한 소식이 있어요.

I have urgent news.

Noun-modifying form '급한'

7

너무 급해요!

It's too urgent!

Adverb '너무' + Adjective

8

어디가 그렇게 급해요?

Where are you going in such a hurry?

Interrogative sentence

1

제 친구는 성격이 급해요.

My friend is impatient.

Common collocation '성격이 급하다'

2

급하게 먹지 마세요.

Don't eat hastily.

Adverbial form '급하게' + Negative imperative

3

일이 급해서 먼저 갈게요.

I'll go first because work is urgent.

Causal ending '-아서'

4

급한 일이 생겼어요.

An urgent matter has come up.

Past tense '생겼어요'

5

그렇게 급하게 어디 가요?

Where are you going so hastily?

Adverbial use

6

돈이 급하게 필요해요.

I need money urgently.

Adverb '급하게' + Verb '필요하다'

7

버스가 급정거를 했어요.

The bus made a sudden stop.

Compound noun '급정거'

8

상황이 아주 급합니다.

The situation is very urgent.

Formal ending '-습니다'

1

급할수록 천천히 하세요.

The more urgent it is, the more you should take your time.

Pattern '-(으)ㄹ수록'

2

길이 급하게 꺾여서 위험해요.

The road turns sharply, so it's dangerous.

Meaning 'sudden/sharp'

3

마음이 급해서 실수를 했어요.

I made a mistake because I was in a hurry.

Causal connection

4

급한 불부터 꺼야 해요.

We need to put out the urgent fire first (deal with the most pressing issue).

Idiomatic expression

5

시간이 급하니까 빨리 결정합시다.

Since time is urgent, let's decide quickly.

Causal ending '-(으)니까'

6

급하게 결정한 일이라 후회가 돼요.

I regret it because it was a decision made in haste.

Noun-modifying clause

7

환자의 상태가 급격히 나빠졌어요.

The patient's condition worsened drastically.

Adverb '급격히' (drastically/suddenly)

8

급한 대로 이거라도 쓰세요.

Use this for now, as it's urgent (even if it's not perfect).

Expression '급한 대로'

1

성격이 급한 탓에 손해를 볼 때가 많다.

I often suffer losses because of my impatient personality.

Pattern '-ㄴ 탓에' (due to/because of)

2

사태가 급박하게 돌아가고 있습니다.

The situation is developing urgently/critically.

Adjective '급박하다' (imminent/urgent)

3

그는 다급한 목소리로 전화를 걸어왔다.

He called in a desperate/urgent voice.

Adjective '다급하다'

4

준비 기간이 너무 촉박해서 걱정이에요.

I'm worried because the preparation period is too tight.

Synonym '촉박하다' (tight/short of time)

5

급변하는 시대에 적응해야 합니다.

We must adapt to the rapidly changing times.

Compound '급변하다' (to change rapidly)

6

너무 조급하게 생각하지 마세요.

Don't think too impatiently.

Synonym '조급하다' (impatient/anxious)

7

급한 마음에 서두르다 보니 사고가 났다.

I hurried because I felt rushed, and an accident occurred.

Pattern '-다 보니' (while doing... I found that...)

8

정부는 급증하는 가계 부채에 대책을 세웠다.

The government established measures for the rapidly increasing household debt.

Compound '급증하다' (to increase rapidly)

1

급할수록 돌아가라는 말이 있듯이, 차분히 준비합시다.

As the saying goes, 'more haste, less speed,' let's prepare calmly.

Proverb usage

2

그의 급한 성미가 결국 화를 불렀다.

His hasty temper eventually caused trouble.

Noun '성미' (temper/disposition)

3

경제 지표가 급강하하며 위기감이 고조되었다.

As economic indicators plummeted, the sense of crisis intensified.

Hanja-based '급강하' (sudden drop/plummet)

4

상황의 급박함을 인지하고 즉각 조치를 취했다.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, immediate action was taken.

Nominalization '-함'

5

조급증을 버려야 진정한 성과를 거둘 수 있다.

You must discard impatience to achieve true results.

Noun '조급증' (impatience/anxiety)

6

급한 불은 껐지만 아직 갈 길이 멀다.

The immediate crisis is over, but there's still a long way to go.

Idiomatic metaphor

7

사건의 전개가 매우 급작스러웠다.

The development of the event was very sudden.

Adjective '급작스럽다' (sudden/abrupt)

8

그는 급한 대로 겉옷만 걸치고 밖으로 뛰어나갔다.

In his haste, he just threw on an overcoat and ran out.

Expression '급한 대로'

1

현대 사회의 급속한 발전은 인간 소외 현상을 야기했다.

The rapid development of modern society has caused human alienation.

Hanja-based '급속한' (rapid)

2

정치적 급진주의는 사회적 갈등을 심화시킬 우려가 있다.

Political radicalism carries the risk of deepening social conflict.

Noun '급진주의' (radicalism - 'sudden/fast' + 'advance')

3

그의 문체는 호흡이 짧고 급하여 긴박감을 준다.

His writing style has short, hurried breaths, giving a sense of tension.

Metaphorical use in literature

4

급류에 휩쓸리지 않도록 각별히 유의해야 한다.

Special care must be taken not to be swept away by the rapid current.

Noun '급류' (rapid stream)

5

시장의 급변에 대응하기 위한 유연한 사고가 필요하다.

Flexible thinking is needed to respond to the rapid changes in the market.

Noun '급변' (sudden change)

6

그는 성격이 워낙 급한지라 기다림의 미학을 알지 못한다.

Since his personality is so hasty, he does not know the aesthetics of waiting.

Ending '-ㄴ지라' (since/because)

7

사태의 추이가 급물살을 타기 시작했다.

The progress of the situation began to gain sudden momentum.

Idiom '급물살을 타다'

8

급체로 인해 응급실을 찾는 환자들이 늘고 있다.

The number of patients visiting the ER due to sudden indigestion is increasing.

Noun '급체' (sudden indigestion)

Common Collocations

성격이 급하다
마음이 급하다
일이 급하다
화장실이 급하다
돈이 급하다
상황이 급하다
급하게 먹다
급하게 가다
급한 불
급한 소식

Common Phrases

급한 일이 생겨서

지금 좀 급해요

급할 거 없어요

급하게 결정하다

급한 대로

뭐가 그렇게 급해?

급한 마음에

급하게 서두르다

급히 연락하다

급한 건

Often Confused With

급하다 vs 빠르다 (fast)

급하다 vs 이르다 (early)

급하다 vs 서두르다 (to hurry)

Idioms & Expressions

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

Easily Confused

급하다 vs 빠르다

Refers to speed/velocity, not urgency.

급하다 vs 이르다

Refers to being early in time, not being in a hurry.

급하다 vs 서두르다

A verb meaning the action of hurrying.

급하다 vs 조급하다

More focused on the psychological anxiety of impatience.

급하다 vs 다급하다

Implies a more desperate, critical emergency.

Sentence Patterns

How to Use It

Temporal

Always implies a lack of time.

Personality

Can be neutral or slightly negative (impatient).

Physiological

Standard for needing the bathroom.

Common Mistakes
  • Confusing '급하다' with '빠르다' for speed.
  • Using '을/를' instead of '이/가'.
  • Using '급하다' to mean 'early' (should be '이르다').
  • Thinking '성격이 급하다' only means 'angry'.
  • Overusing '급하다' for things that are just 'important' but not time-sensitive.

Tips

Hanja Root

Remember '급' (急) means urgent. You'll see it in 'emergency' (응급) and 'express' (급행).

Polite Excuses

Use '급한 일이 생겨서' to leave early without being rude.

Adverb Form

Use '급하게' to describe how someone is eating or walking.

Pali-Pali

Understanding '급하다' is key to understanding the Korean work ethic.

Softening

Add '좀' to '급해요' to make it sound less like a command.

Formal Contexts

Use '급격히' when describing data changes in essays.

Announcements

Listen for '급' in subway warnings to stay safe.

Desperation

If you are really in trouble, use '다급하다' instead of just '급하다'.

Proverb

Memorize '급할수록 돌아가라' to sound like a pro.

No Objects

Never use '을/를' with '급하다'. Use '이/가'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'GUP' as in 'Gulping' down food because you are in a hurry (급하게 먹다).

Word Origin

From Middle Chinese 'kip' (urgent).

Cultural Context

The Korean tendency to do everything quickly.

Using '급하다' is the most natural way to ask for a bathroom in an emergency.

Tasks are often categorized by their '급' level.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"성격이 급한 편이세요?"

"요즘 가장 급하게 처리해야 할 일이 뭐예요?"

"급하게 결정해서 후회한 적이 있나요?"

"한국의 '빨리빨리' 문화에 대해 어떻게 생각하세요?"

"화장실이 급할 때 어떻게 말해요?"

Journal Prompts

내가 성격이 급해서 실수했던 경험에 대해 써보세요.

오늘 하루 중 가장 급했던 순간은 언제였나요?

급하게 돈이 필요하다면 누구에게 연락할 것인가요?

'급할수록 돌아가라'는 격언이 맞다고 생각하는 이유는?

우리 나라 사람들의 성격은 급한 편인가요, 느긋한 편인가요?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, for a fast car, use '빠르다'. '급하다' is for urgent situations or impatient people.

You can say '마음이 급해요' or '지금 좀 급해요'.

Not necessarily. It can just be a description of someone who works fast, though it often implies they might be impatient.

They are mostly interchangeable, but '급히' is slightly more formal and common in written text.

Say '화장실이 너무 급해요!'.

Yes, when describing a slope (급경사) or a curve (급커브).

It's an idiom meaning to handle the most urgent part of a problem first.

It is an adjective (descriptive verb) in Korean.

Yes, it means 'Time is pressing' or 'I'm short on time'.

The most common opposite is '느긋하다' (to be relaxed/leisurely).

Test Yourself 180 questions

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

Related Content

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!