시급히 in 30 Seconds
- A formal adverb meaning 'urgently' or 'promptly' used for serious matters.
- Commonly found in news, business, and medical contexts to emphasize critical timing.
- Derived from Sino-Korean roots for 'time' and 'urgent' (時急).
- More professional and serious than the common word '빨리' (fast).
The Korean adverb 시급히 (siguephi) is a word that carries significant weight, far beyond a simple request for speed. Derived from the Sino-Korean roots si (時 - time) and geup (急 - urgent/fast), it translates most accurately to 'urgently,' 'promptly,' or 'with the utmost priority.' While common words like '빨리' (ppalli) focus on the velocity of an action, 시급히 focuses on the criticality of the timeframe. It implies that a situation is so pressing that any delay could lead to negative consequences or missed opportunities.
- Semantic Nuance
- Unlike 'fast' (빨리), which can be used for eating or walking, '시급히' is reserved for matters of importance. It suggests a qualitative need for speed rooted in necessity rather than just preference.
- Social Context
- You will frequently encounter this word in news reports, government briefings, and medical environments. It is a 'formal' urgency word that commands attention and respect.
정부는 경제 위기를 해결하기 위해 대책을 시급히 마련해야 합니다.
In everyday life, a Korean person might use 시급히 when discussing a serious health issue or a major repair in a home. For example, if a pipe bursts, you don't just need it fixed 'fast'—you need it fixed urgently to prevent flooding. This distinction is vital for learners who want to sound natural and convey the appropriate level of seriousness in their speech.
환자가 피를 많이 흘리고 있으니 시급히 수술실로 옮겨야 해요.
The word also appears in academic and legal writing. When a law needs to be amended to protect citizens, the term used is almost always 시급히. It signals that the current state of affairs is unsustainable. Understanding this word helps you decode the tone of a Korean news article instantly—if you see '시급히,' you know the topic is a priority for the nation or the community.
- Morphology
- The suffix '-히' transforms the adjective '시급하다' (to be urgent) into an adverb. This is a common pattern for Sino-Korean adjectives ending in '-하다'.
환경 오염 문제를 시급히 해결하지 않으면 미래가 위험합니다.
Using 시급히 correctly requires understanding its placement within a sentence and the verbs it typically modifies. As an adverb, it usually precedes the verb it describes. However, because it carries such strong emphasis, it often appears near the beginning of the predicate to set the tone for the entire action.
- Grammar Rule: Placement
- Place '시급히' immediately before the verb or adjective it modifies. In complex sentences, it can also follow the object of the sentence to emphasize the action taken on that object.
문제를 시급히 처리해 주세요.
In this example, the speaker is asking for a task to be completed not just quickly, but as a matter of priority. The verb '처리하다' (to handle/process) is a frequent partner for '시급히' in professional settings. Other common verbs include '해결하다' (to solve), '마련하다' (to prepare/provide), and '수정하다' (to correct/amend).
When constructing sentences with 시급히, you often pair it with grammar structures that express necessity, such as '-아야/어야 하다' (must/have to). This reinforces the sense of obligation inherent in the word.
우리는 이 계획을 시급히 실행에 옮겨야 합니다.
For learners at the A2 level, you might start by using it in simple requests. If you are at a pharmacy and need medicine right away because you are in pain, saying '시급히 약이 필요해요' (I urgently need medicine) conveys your distress more effectively than just saying '빨리' (fast).
- Common Verb Pairings
- 시급히 해결하다 (Urgently solve)
- 시급히 개선하다 (Urgently improve)
- 시급히 지원하다 (Urgently support/apply)
- 시급히 복구하다 (Urgently restore)
Finally, consider the emotional tone. Using 시급히 shows that you understand the gravity of a situation. It is a word of maturity. Using it in a trivial context (like asking for a snack) would sound overly dramatic or even sarcastic, similar to saying 'I require a cookie post-haste' in English.
무너진 도로를 시급히 복구하고 있습니다.
If you turn on a Korean news broadcast like KBS or MBC, you are almost guaranteed to hear 시급히 within the first ten minutes. It is the quintessential 'news word.' News anchors use it to describe government responses to natural disasters, economic shifts, or social issues. It creates a sense of 'breaking news' and 'critical importance.'
- The Newsroom Context
- Anchors often say, '...대책 마련이 시급히 요구됩니다' (...the preparation of measures is urgently required). This passive construction is very common in formal reporting.
“저출산 문제를 해결하기 위한 법안을 시급히 통과시켜야 합니다.”
In a corporate environment, 시급히 is used during high-stakes meetings. If a company's server goes down or a major client is unhappy, a manager won't just say 'do it fast.' They will say, '이 문제는 시급히 해결해야 할 사안입니다' (This problem is a matter that must be solved urgently). Using this word signals to the team that they should drop other tasks to focus on this one.
You will also see this word on public service announcements (PSAs). Signs near construction sites or areas prone to flooding often use 시급히 to warn citizens to act quickly in case of danger. For example, '재난 시 시급히 대피하십시오' (In case of disaster, evacuate urgently).
사고 현장에 구급차를 시급히 보내 주세요!
In K-Dramas, particularly medical or legal dramas, 시급히 is a staple. Doctors in the ER shout it while performing triage, and lawyers use it in the courtroom when requesting an immediate injunction. It adds a layer of professional intensity to the dialogue that '빨리' simply cannot provide. If a doctor says '빨리 수술합시다,' it sounds like they are in a hurry; if they say '시급히 수술합시다,' it sounds like the patient's life depends on it.
- Domain-Specific Usage
- Politics: Passing emergency budgets.
- IT: Patching critical security vulnerabilities.
- Medicine: Administering life-saving treatment.
- Environment: Addressing climate change effects.
보안 취약점을 시급히 수정해야 정보 유출을 막을 수 있습니다.
The most common mistake learners make with 시급히 is using it in casual, low-stakes situations. Because the word is derived from Hanja (Sino-Korean characters), it carries a formal and serious tone. Using it when you just want a friend to hurry up and finish their coffee sounds strange and out of place.
- Mistake #1: Over-Formality
- Don't say: '시급히 밥 먹어' (Eat urgently). This sounds like a command from a dystopian movie. Instead, use '빨리 먹어' (Eat fast).
❌ 친구야, 시급히 숙제해.
✅ 친구야, 빨리 숙제해.
Another mistake is confusing 시급히 with 급히 (geuphi). While they share the same root character for 'urgent' (急), 급히 is more about the suddenness or hurried nature of an action. If you leave the house in a rush because you forgot your keys, you left '급히.' If you leave the house because it's on fire, you left '시급히' (though in that specific case, you'd likely use '대피하다').
Learners also sometimes struggle with the pronunciation. The 'ㅂ' (b) in '급' meets the 'ㅎ' (h) in '히,' resulting in a strong 'ㅍ' (p) sound: [시그피]. Failing to make this sound change can make the word hard for native speakers to recognize in fast speech.
- Mistake #2: Misplacement in Imperatives
- While you can use it in '...해 주세요' (Please do...), it is much more common in descriptive or declarative sentences about what 'needs to be done' (...해야 합니다). Using it as a direct command to a subordinate can feel overly cold or harsh.
❌ 이 서류를 시급히 읽어라!
✅ 이 서류를 신속히 검토해 주세요.
Lastly, remember that 시급히 implies a solution is needed. It is rarely used for actions that don't result in a resolution. You wouldn't say '시급히 춤춰요' (Dance urgently), because dancing doesn't solve a crisis. Stick to verbs of action, resolution, and provision.
Korean has a rich vocabulary for 'speed' and 'urgency.' Choosing the right one depends on the level of formality and the specific type of urgency you want to express. Here is how 시급히 compares to its closest relatives.
- 시급히 vs. 빨리 (Ppalli)
- 빨리 is the general word for 'fast.' It's used for physical speed and casual requests. 시급히 is for important, time-critical matters.
- 시급히 vs. 신속히 (Sinsok-hi)
- 신속히 means 'promptly' or 'efficiently.' It is often used in business to promise fast service. While '시급히' stresses the need for speed, '신속히' stresses the quality of being fast and efficient.
- 시급히 vs. 조속히 (Josok-hi)
- 조속히 is very formal, often used in diplomatic or high-level legal contexts. It means 'as soon as possible.' It is even more formal than '시급히' and less emotional.
고객님의 문의를 신속히 처리해 드리겠습니다.
Another interesting alternative is 어서 (eoseo). This is used in invitations or encouraging someone to act. You hear it in '어서 오세요' (Welcome/Come in quickly). You wouldn't use 시급히 here because there is no crisis; it's just a polite greeting.
For very urgent, life-threatening situations, you might also hear 당장 (dangjang), which means 'right now' or 'immediately.' While 시급히 describes the manner of the action, 당장 emphasizes the starting point—zero delay allowed.
그 일을 당장 멈추세요!
In summary, choose 시급히 when you want to convey that a situation is critical and time is of the essence. It is the word of responsibility and urgency.
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
The word '시급' is also the Korean word for 'hourly wage' (時給). However, they use different Hanja for 'geup' (急 for urgent vs 給 for pay). Context is key!
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing it as [si-geub-hi] instead of the natural [si-geu-pi].
- Making the 'eu' sound too long like 'oo' in 'book'.
- Failing to aspirate the 'p' sound properly.
- Pronouncing the 'si' as 'she' (it should be closer to 'see').
- Stopping the breath between 'geup' and 'hi'.
Difficulty Rating
Easy to recognize in text due to the distinct '-히' ending and common Hanja roots.
Requires understanding of formal tone and correct verb pairings.
Pronunciation [시그피] can be tricky for beginners to master naturally.
Common in news and dramas, but can be missed if the listener expects [si-geub-hi].
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Adverbial suffix -히
조용하다 -> 조용히, 시급하다 -> 시급히
Must/Should -아야/어야 하다
시급히 해결해야 합니다.
Causative -게 하다/시키다
물가를 시급히 안정시켜야 합니다.
Passive -어/아지다
문제가 시급히 해결되어야 합니다.
Request -아/어 주세요
시급히 처리해 주세요.
Examples by Level
병원에 시급히 가야 해요.
I must go to the hospital urgently.
Uses -아야 해요 (must).
시급히 도와주세요.
Please help me urgently.
Simple request form.
약이 시급히 필요합니다.
I need medicine urgently.
Formal ending -습니다.
시급히 전화해 주세요.
Please call urgently.
Imperative with -아/어 주세요.
경찰에 시급히 신고하세요.
Report to the police urgently.
Direct instruction.
시급히 물이 필요해요.
I need water urgently.
Noun + 가/이 필요하다.
문을 시급히 열어 주세요.
Please open the door urgently.
Object marker -를.
시급히 가야 합니다.
I must go urgently.
Formal 'must' structure.
컴퓨터를 시급히 고쳐야 해요.
I must fix the computer urgently.
Verb + -아야 해요.
이 문제를 시급히 해결합시다.
Let's solve this problem urgently.
-읍시다 (let's).
선생님을 시급히 불러 주세요.
Please call the teacher urgently.
Object marker -를.
서류를 시급히 보내야 합니다.
I must send the documents urgently.
Formal 'must'.
배가 너무 아파서 시급히 약을 먹었어요.
My stomach hurt so much I took medicine urgently.
Reasoning with -아서.
화재 현장에서 시급히 대피하세요.
Please evacuate from the fire scene urgently.
Location marker -에서.
이 일은 시급히 처리해야 할 일입니다.
This work is something that must be handled urgently.
Noun modifying form -ㄹ 일.
시급히 돈을 빌려야 해요.
I must borrow money urgently.
Verb 'to borrow'.
정부는 물가를 시급히 안정시켜야 합니다.
The government must urgently stabilize prices.
Causative verb 안정시키다.
환경 보호를 위해 대책을 시급히 마련해야 해요.
We must urgently prepare measures for environmental protection.
Purpose clause -를 위해.
사고 소식을 듣고 시급히 현장으로 달려갔습니다.
After hearing news of the accident, I rushed urgently to the scene.
Sequential action -고.
이 시스템의 오류를 시급히 수정해야 합니다.
We must urgently correct the errors in this system.
Possessive marker -의.
피해 복구를 위해 시급히 지원금을 보내야 해요.
We must urgently send support funds for damage recovery.
Compound noun 피해 복구.
전문가의 조언이 시급히 필요한 상황입니다.
It is a situation where an expert's advice is urgently needed.
Situation description -ㄴ 상황.
시급히 결정을 내려야 할 때입니다.
It is time to make a decision urgently.
Decision expression 결정을 내리다.
그는 시급히 수술을 받지 않으면 위험합니다.
He is in danger if he doesn't receive surgery urgently.
Condition -지 않으면.
저출산 고령화 문제에 시급히 대응해야 합니다.
We must urgently respond to the problem of low birth rate and aging population.
Topic marker -에.
기업들은 디지털 전환을 시급히 추진하고 있습니다.
Companies are urgently pushing for digital transformation.
Progressive form -고 있다.
법률 개정이 시급히 이루어져야 한다는 목소리가 높습니다.
There are loud voices saying that legal amendments must be urgently made.
Quotation form -ㄴ다는 목소리.
에너지 위기를 극복하기 위해 시급히 대체 에너지를 찾아야 합니다.
To overcome the energy crisis, we must urgently find alternative energy.
Purpose -기 위해.
교육 제도의 모순을 시급히 시정할 필요가 있습니다.
There is a need to urgently correct the contradictions in the education system.
Need expression -ㄹ 필요가 있다.
군대는 적의 공격에 시급히 대비하고 있습니다.
The army is urgently preparing for the enemy's attack.
Preparation verb 대비하다.
시급히 해결해야 할 과제가 산더미처럼 쌓여 있습니다.
Tasks that must be urgently solved are piled up like a mountain.
Simile 산더미처럼.
정보 유출을 막기 위해 보안 시스템을 시급히 강화했습니다.
To prevent information leakage, the security system was urgently strengthened.
Past tense -았습니다/었습니다.
기후 위기는 인류가 시급히 해결해야 할 공동의 과제입니다.
The climate crisis is a common task that humanity must urgently solve.
Noun phrase 공동의 과제.
경제 불황을 타개하기 위한 혁신적인 정책이 시급히 요구됩니다.
Innovative policies to overcome the economic recession are urgently required.
Passive-style 요구되다.
사회적 약자를 보호하기 위한 안전망을 시급히 확충해야 합니다.
We must urgently expand the safety net to protect the socially vulnerable.
Metaphorical term 안전망 (safety net).
기술 패권 경쟁에서 뒤처지지 않도록 시급히 전략을 수정했습니다.
Strategies were urgently modified so as not to fall behind in the technology hegemony competition.
Resultative -도록.
무분별한 개발로 인한 생태계 파괴를 시급히 멈춰야 합니다.
We must urgently stop the destruction of the ecosystem caused by indiscriminate development.
Cause/reason -로 인한.
국가 간의 갈등을 시급히 중재할 기구가 필요합니다.
An organization to urgently mediate conflicts between nations is needed.
Mediation verb 중재하다.
전염병 확산을 막기 위해 백신 보급을 시급히 확대해야 합니다.
To prevent the spread of infectious diseases, vaccine distribution must be urgently expanded.
Expansion verb 확대하다.
노동 시장의 이중 구조를 시급히 개선하려는 노력이 보입니다.
Efforts to urgently improve the dual structure of the labor market are visible.
Intention form -려는 노력.
민주주의의 근간을 흔드는 시도를 시급히 근절해야 한다는 주장이 제기되었습니다.
Arguments were raised that attempts to shake the foundations of democracy must be urgently eradicated.
Eradication verb 근절하다.
인공지능의 윤리적 가이드라인을 시급히 정립하는 것이 시대적 소명입니다.
Urgently establishing ethical guidelines for AI is the calling of our times.
Abstract noun 시대적 소명.
식량 안보 문제를 해결하기 위해 농업 기술을 시급히 고도화해야 합니다.
To solve food security issues, agricultural technology must be urgently advanced.
Advancement verb 고도화하다.
역사 왜곡을 바로잡기 위한 학술적 연구가 시급히 뒷받침되어야 합니다.
Academic research to correct historical distortions must be urgently supported.
Support verb 뒷받침되다.
금융 시장의 변동성에 시급히 대처할 수 있는 시스템을 구축했습니다.
A system capable of urgently dealing with financial market volatility has been built.
Establishment verb 구축하다.
문화유산의 훼손을 방지하기 위해 보존 대책을 시급히 수립해야 합니다.
To prevent damage to cultural heritage, preservation measures must be urgently established.
Establishment verb 수립하다.
양극화 해소를 위한 조세 제도 개편이 시급히 논의되어야 할 시점입니다.
It is the point in time where tax system reform for resolving polarization must be urgently discussed.
Discussion verb 논의되다.
우주 개발 경쟁에서 주도권을 확보하기 위해 투자를 시급히 늘려야 합니다.
To secure leadership in the space development race, investment must be urgently increased.
Leadership term 주도권.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— It is used in news to say that a plan is needed urgently.
정부의 대책 마련이 시급히 요구됩니다.
— A task or problem that must be solved right away.
이것은 우리 사회가 시급히 해결할 과제입니다.
— A job or business matter that is top priority.
오늘 시급히 처리할 일이 좀 있어요.
— To ask for help in a very urgent situation.
그는 시급히 도움을 요청했습니다.
— To make a choice without any delay.
우리는 시급히 결정을 내려야 했습니다.
— To take action/measures urgently (idiomatic).
병이 더 커지기 전에 시급히 손을 써야 해요.
— To leave a place urgently/hurriedly.
그는 전화를 받고 시급히 자리를 떴습니다.
— To urgently reinforce or strengthen something.
수비 라인을 시급히 보강해야 합니다.
— To urgently correct a wrong action or policy.
잘못된 관행을 시급히 시정하겠습니다.
— To get in touch with someone urgently.
가족에게 시급히 연락해 주세요.
Often Confused With
Same pronunciation/spelling, but means the money you get per hour. Context tells them apart.
Focuses on personal rushing or suddenness, while '시급히' focuses on objective necessity.
Casual and general speed, whereas '시급히' is formal and implies a critical deadline.
Idioms & Expressions
— As urgently as putting out a fire.
그는 불을 끄듯 시급히 일을 처리했다.
Metaphorical— Urgently because a fire dropped on one's foot (last minute urgency).
발등에 불이 떨어져서 시급히 공부를 시작했다.
Casual/Idiomatic— So urgently/fast that your eyebrows flutter.
그는 눈썹이 휘날리게 시급히 달려갔다.
Casual— Urgently, saving even a split second of time.
촌음을 아껴 시급히 연구를 진행했다.
Formal/Literary— Urgently, as if life or death depends on it.
사활을 걸고 시급히 시장을 선점해야 한다.
Business/Serious— Urgently because every hour/minute is pressing.
한시가 급하여 시급히 출발했습니다.
Formal— Saving time worth a thousand gold pieces to act urgently.
천금 같은 시간을 아껴 시급히 회의를 마쳤다.
Formal/Literary— Breathlessly and urgently.
숨 가쁘게 시급히 변화하는 세상입니다.
Descriptive— As urgently and fast as lightning.
번개처럼 시급히 소식이 퍼졌다.
Metaphorical— Urgently, without measuring pros or cons (just acting).
앞뒤 잴 것 없이 시급히 병원으로 향했다.
NarrativeEasily Confused
Both mean fast/prompt.
'신속히' emphasizes efficiency and skill in being fast. '시급히' emphasizes the danger or importance of the delay.
택배를 신속히 배달합니다 (Deliver efficiently). 문제를 시급히 해결합니다 (Solve urgently).
Both are formal and mean soon.
'조속히' is 'as soon as possible' (time-focused). '시급히' is 'urgently' (necessity-focused).
조속히 귀국하십시오 (Return as soon as possible). 시급히 수술해야 합니다 (Operate urgently).
They share the same root '급'.
'급히' is about the manner of the person (acting in a rush). '시급히' is about the nature of the task.
그는 급히 밥을 먹었다 (He ate in a rush). 정부는 시급히 대책을 세웠다 (The gov prepared measures urgently).
Both mean to do something without delay.
'얼른' is colloquial and often used with children or close friends. '시급히' is professional and serious.
얼른 신발 신어 (Put your shoes on quick). 시급히 지원금을 보내야 합니다 (Must urgently send funds).
Both imply no delay.
'당장' means 'on the spot/immediately.' '시급히' describes the manner of performing an urgent task.
당장 나가! (Get out now!). 시급히 해결합시다 (Let's solve it urgently).
Sentence Patterns
N을/를 시급히 V-아야 해요.
쓰레기 문제를 시급히 해결해야 해요.
N을/를 위해 대책을 시급히 마련해야 합니다.
안전을 위해 대책을 시급히 마련해야 합니다.
N의 시급히 개선될 필요가 있다.
교육 제도의 시급히 개선될 필요가 있다.
N이/가 시급히 요구되는 시점입니다.
정부의 개입이 시급히 요구되는 시점입니다.
시급히 V-아/어 주세요.
시급히 도와주세요.
상황이 시급히 돌아가고 있습니다.
현장 상황이 시급히 돌아가고 있습니다.
시급히 처리해야 할 N.
시급히 처리해야 할 업무가 많습니다.
N을/를 시급히 근절하는 것이 급선무입니다.
부패를 시급히 근절하는 것이 급선무입니다.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
High in media and professional settings; Moderate in daily speech.
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Pronouncing it as Si-geub-hi.
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Si-geu-pi.
Korean phonology requires 'ㅂ' + 'ㅎ' to become 'ㅍ'.
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Using it for casual hurrying (e.g., 'Eat urgently').
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Use '빨리' for casual contexts.
'시급히' is too formal and serious for daily chores.
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Confusing it with 'hourly wage' (시급).
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Check the context.
If it has '-히' or modifies a verb, it means 'urgently.' If it's a noun with a number, it's 'wage.'
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Using it without an action verb.
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Pair it with verbs like solve, fix, or prepare.
'시급히' implies a need for a resolution or intervention.
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Using it in a very polite greeting.
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Use '어서' (e.g., 어서 오세요).
'시급히' is not used for social politeness, only for situational urgency.
Tips
Use in Writing
When writing a formal request or an essay about social issues, '시급히' is your best friend to emphasize importance.
The P-Sound
Practice saying 'Si-geu-pi' five times fast. Mastering this sound change is a hallmark of an advanced learner.
Emergency Situations
If you are in Korea and have a real emergency, using '시급히' will help officials understand the gravity of your situation.
Noun Form
Don't forget the noun form '시급성' (urgency). You can say '시급성을 인지하다' (to recognize the urgency).
The Must-Pattern
Always try to pair '시급히' with '-아야 하다' for the most natural-sounding sentences.
Watch the News
Try to spot '시급히' in a Korean news clip. It will usually be in the headline or the first sentence of a report.
Don't Overuse
If everything is '시급히,' then nothing is. Save it for the truly important stuff to maintain its impact.
Headline Hacking
In newspaper headlines, you might just see '시급' (e.g., '대책 마련 시급'). This is a shortened form of '시급하다'.
Professionalism
Using '시급히' in a job interview when talking about problem-solving shows you have a professional vocabulary.
Vs. 빨리
If you can replace it with 'efficiently,' use '신속히.' If you can replace it with 'because it's a crisis,' use '시급히'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'See' (시) and 'Gulp' (급). You 'See' a problem and 'Gulp' because it's so 'Urgent.' Add 'He' (히) to make it an adverb: 'He saw it and gulped urgently.'
Visual Association
Imagine a red siren flashing on a clock. The clock is ticking loudly. This visual represents 'time' (si) and 'urgency' (geup).
Word Web
Challenge
Try to find three things in your life right now that need to be done '시급히' (e.g., paying a bill, fixing a leak, calling a parent) and say the sentence in Korean.
Word Origin
From the Sino-Korean word '時急' (sig-eup) combined with the adverbial suffix '-히' (hi). '時' means time, and '急' means urgent or fast.
Original meaning: A state where the time is pressing or urgent.
Sino-Korean (Hanja-based).Cultural Context
Be careful not to use this word for small, personal favors, as it can sound like you are being bossy or overly dramatic.
In English, we might use 'stat' in medical contexts or 'asap' in offices. '시급히' covers both but feels more like the news term 'urgently.'
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
In a Hospital
- 시급히 수술이 필요해요.
- 의사를 시급히 불러 주세요.
- 환자를 시급히 옮겨야 합니다.
- 시급히 지혈해야 해요.
At the Office
- 이 서류를 시급히 확인해 주세요.
- 시급히 처리할 업무가 생겼어요.
- 회의를 시급히 소집합시다.
- 결재를 시급히 부탁드립니다.
In the News
- 대책 마련이 시급히 요구됩니다.
- 정부가 시급히 나섰습니다.
- 피해 복구가 시급히 진행 중입니다.
- 법안 통과가 시급히 필요합니다.
Natural Disasters
- 시급히 대피하십시오.
- 구조대를 시급히 파견했습니다.
- 생필품을 시급히 지원해야 합니다.
- 상황을 시급히 파악해야 해요.
IT / Tech Support
- 서버를 시급히 복구해야 합니다.
- 보안 패치를 시급히 설치하세요.
- 버그를 시급히 수정했습니다.
- 네트워크를 시급히 점검해 주세요.
Conversation Starters
"요즘 우리 사회에서 시급히 해결해야 할 문제는 무엇이라고 생각하세요? (What problem do you think our society needs to solve urgently these days?)"
"회사에서 시급히 처리해야 할 일이 생기면 어떻게 하시나요? (What do you do when an urgent task arises at work?)"
"건강을 위해 시급히 개선해야 할 습관이 있나요? (Is there a habit you need to improve urgently for your health?)"
"기후 변화에 대응하기 위해 우리가 시급히 할 수 있는 일은 무엇일까요? (What can we do urgently to respond to climate change?)"
"지금 당장 시급히 사고 싶은 물건이 있나요? (Is there something you urgently want to buy right now? - slightly playful use)"
Journal Prompts
오늘 내가 시급히 처리한 일들에 대해 써보세요. 왜 그 일들이 중요했나요? (Write about the things you handled urgently today. Why were they important?)
10년 후의 나를 위해 지금 시급히 준비해야 할 것은 무엇인지 생각해보세요. (Think about what you need to prepare urgently now for yourself in 10 years.)
우리 동네에서 시급히 고쳐야 할 시설이나 문제가 있다면 무엇인가요? (What facilities or problems in your neighborhood need to be fixed urgently?)
만약 당신이 대통령이라면, 어떤 정책을 가장 시급히 시행하고 싶나요? (If you were the president, what policy would you want to implement most urgently?)
인생에서 속도(빨리)보다 방향(시급히 무엇을 할지)이 중요한 이유는 무엇일까요? (Why is direction—what to do urgently—more important than speed in life?)
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt's better to use '급히' or '빨리.' '시급히' sounds like the meeting is a national crisis. If you say '시급히 가야 해요,' people might think someone is dying.
They are almost identical. '시급히' is the standard adverbial form and sounds slightly more formal or 'written.' '시급하게' is also common and sounds a bit more descriptive.
Yes, it is a standard Sino-Korean term used in both North and South Korea, especially in official propaganda and news broadcasts.
Only if there is a medical reason, like 'You must eat this sugar urgently because your blood sugar is low.' Otherwise, use '빨리'.
You don't! Because of the 'h' (ㅎ) that follows, the 'b/p' (ㅂ) sound becomes a strong 'p' (ㅍ). The correct pronunciation is [시그피].
Not really. K-pop lyrics usually use '빨리,' '어서,' or '당장' because they are more rhythmic and less formal. '시급히' is too 'news-like' for most songs.
Usually, it's used for problems. However, you could say '우리는 시급히 행복해질 필요가 있어요' (We need to become happy urgently) as a poetic or dramatic statement.
The verb '해결하다' (to solve) is by far the most common collocation.
Yes, if you are reporting a critical error or a situation that needs their immediate attention. It shows you take the matter seriously.
Yes, 時急히. 時 (Time) + 急 (Urgent).
Test Yourself 42 questions
Write a sentence using '시급히' about a broken computer.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Pronounce '시급히 해결해 주세요' clearly focusing on the sound change.
Read this aloud:
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Listen to the sentence: '대책 마련이 시급히 요구됩니다.' What is required?
/ 42 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Use '시급히' when the speed of an action is a matter of necessity or survival rather than just a preference. Example: '시급히 병원에 가야 해요' (I must go to the hospital urgently).
- A formal adverb meaning 'urgently' or 'promptly' used for serious matters.
- Commonly found in news, business, and medical contexts to emphasize critical timing.
- Derived from Sino-Korean roots for 'time' and 'urgent' (時急).
- More professional and serious than the common word '빨리' (fast).
Use in Writing
When writing a formal request or an essay about social issues, '시급히' is your best friend to emphasize importance.
The P-Sound
Practice saying 'Si-geu-pi' five times fast. Mastering this sound change is a hallmark of an advanced learner.
Emergency Situations
If you are in Korea and have a real emergency, using '시급히' will help officials understand the gravity of your situation.
Noun Form
Don't forget the noun form '시급성' (urgency). You can say '시급성을 인지하다' (to recognize the urgency).
Example
이 문제는 시급히 해결해야 합니다.
Related Content
More academic words
입체적
B2Having a three-dimensional effect or examining something from multiple perspectives rather than a single flat view. It implies a comprehensive and detailed analysis.
~에 관해
B1About, concerning.
~에 대하여
A2Concerning or regarding a particular subject; about.
~대해
A2About; concerning; regarding.
~에 관하여
A2Regarding, concerning, about (a topic).
~에 대해(서)
A1Indicates the topic or subject of discussion, meaning 'about' or 'regarding'.
무엇보다
A2More than anything else; above all.
결석생
A2A student who is absent from class.
추상화하다
B2To consider something theoretically or separately from its physical reality. It involves extracting general principles from specific examples.
추상
A2Abstraction; the quality of dealing with ideas rather than events.
