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A2 adverb 9 min read

着急地

zhao2 ji2 de

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 着急地 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 着急地 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn how to describe actions. '着急地' (zhāojí de) might seem a bit long, but you can think of it as two parts. '着急' means 'to feel worried' or 'to be in a hurry.' The '地' at the end is like the '-ly' in English words like 'quickly' or 'happily.' So, '着急地' means 'worriedly' or 'anxiously.' You use it when someone is doing something because they have a problem or they are late. For example, if you are late for class, you might '着急地跑' (run anxiously). At this level, don't worry too much about the complicated grammar; just remember that '着急地' comes before the action word (the verb). It helps you tell a story about how you feel while you are doing things. If you lose your phone, you are '着急地找' (looking for it anxiously). It is a very useful word for expressing basic feelings in daily life.

At the A2 level, you should start using '着急地' to add more detail to your sentences. Instead of just saying 'He is looking for his keys,' you can say 'He is anxiously looking for his keys' (他着急地找钥匙). This shows you understand how to use the 'Adverb + 地 + Verb' structure. At this level, it's important to distinguish '着急地' from just '快' (fast). '快' is about speed, but '着急地' is about the feeling of being worried or rushed. You will often use this word in topics like 'travel' (missing a flight), 'health' (going to the doctor), or 'work' (finishing a task). Remember that '地' is the key particle here. Without '地', the sentence might still be understood, but it won't be grammatically perfect. Practice using it with common verbs like 跑 (run), 问 (ask), 等 (wait), and 找 (look for). This will make your Chinese sound much more natural and expressive.

For B1 learners, '着急地' is a bridge to more descriptive and emotional language. You should be able to use it in more complex sentence structures, such as those involving '虽然...但是...' (although... but...) or '因为...所以...' (because... so...). For example: '因为快迟到了，他着急地跑向车站' (Because he was almost late, he ran anxiously toward the station). At this level, you should also begin to recognize the nuance between '着急地' and its synonyms like '匆忙地' (hurriedly) or '赶紧' (hurry up). '着急地' specifically highlights the internal state of anxiety. You might also encounter it in written texts, such as short stories or news snippets. Pay attention to how it modifies the tone of a sentence—it often adds a sense of tension or sympathy for the subject. You should also be comfortable using it in both spoken and written formats, ensuring the correct '地' is used instead of '的' or '得'.

At the B2 level, your use of '着急地' should be precise and contextual. You should understand that while it is a common word, it has a specific emotional range. You can compare it to more advanced terms like '焦急地' (jiāojí de) or '迫不及待地' (pò bù jí dài de). '焦急地' is more formal and suggests a higher level of distress, whereas '着急地' is the standard for everyday anxiety. You should also be able to use '着急地' to describe abstract actions, such as '着急地想办法' (anxiously thinking of a way/solution). In B2 level writing, using such adverbs helps to develop the 'mood' of your writing. You should also be aware of the reduplicated form '急急忙忙地', which adds a colloquial, slightly more frantic tone. Mastery at this level means knowing when '着急地' is the right emotional fit for the situation, versus a more neutral word like '赶快'.

C1 learners should look at '着急地' as part of a wider palette of descriptive adverbs. While '着急地' is relatively simple, its placement and the verbs it modifies can create sophisticated meanings. You should be able to analyze its use in literature to understand a character's motivation. For instance, a character might '着急地辩解' (anxiously defend themselves), which reveals their guilt or fear. At this level, you should also be familiar with idiomatic expressions that convey similar meanings, such as '如坐针毡' (like sitting on a bed of needles) or '热锅上的蚂蚁' (ants on a hot pan), and know how '着急地' functions as a more direct, literal counterpart to these idioms. You should also be able to use it in formal debates or presentations to describe public sentiment or urgent social issues, such as '公众着急地关注着物价上涨' (The public is anxiously following the rise in prices).

At the C2 level, '着急地' is a word you use effortlessly, but you also understand its limitations. You might choose to replace it with more specific or evocative language depending on the genre of your writing. In a legal or highly formal academic context, you might opt for '迫切地' (urgently) or '急迫地' (pressingly). However, in creative writing, '着急地' remains a powerful tool for grounding a character's actions in recognizable human emotion. You should be able to use it to create subtle irony or to contrast with a character's outward appearance of calm. Furthermore, you should have a deep understanding of the historical development of the characters '着' and '急' and how the adverbial '地' has evolved in modern Mandarin. At this level, your mastery is not just about using the word correctly, but about choosing it over dozens of other options to achieve a specific rhetorical effect.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

着急地 in 30 Seconds

An adverb meaning 'anxiously' or 'worriedly' in Chinese.
Used before a verb to show the person is stressed or in a hurry.
Essential for expressing emotions during actions in daily life.
Formed by adding the particle '地' to the adjective '着急'.

The term 着急地 (zhāojí de) is a quintessential Chinese adverb that captures a complex blend of urgency, anxiety, and worry. At its core, it describes an action performed while the actor is in a state of mental agitation or haste, usually because they are facing a problem, a deadline, or a missing item. Unlike the English word 'hurriedly,' which might just imply speed, 着急地 carries the emotional weight of 'being worried' (着急) while doing something. It is the linguistic bridge between an internal feeling of stress and an external action.

The Emotional Core: The root word '着急' (zhāojí) literally means 'to touch the urgent.' When you add the adverbial particle '地' (de), you are describing how an action is being carried out. It suggests that the person's heart is 'burning' with impatience or fear of a negative outcome.
The Structural Role: In Chinese grammar, this word follows the 'Adverb + 地 + Verb' pattern. It functions as a modifier that paints a vivid picture of the subject's psychological state during the movement. For instance, '着急地走' (walking anxiously) implies not just speed, but a restless mind.

他在机场着急地寻找丢失的护照。
— He was anxiously looking for his lost passport at the airport.

You will encounter this word most frequently in narrative storytelling, news reports about emergencies, and daily conversations regarding missed appointments or lost belongings. It is a 'high-utility' word because it humanizes an action; it tells the listener not just *what* happened, but *how* the person felt while it was happening. If a mother is looking for her child in a crowd, she isn't just 'looking' (找); she is '着急地找' (looking anxiously).

医生着急地进了手术室。
— The doctor entered the operating room anxiously/hurriedly.

Contextual Usage: It is used when time is running out (着急地看表 - looking at the watch anxiously) or when a situation is critical (着急地呼救 - calling for help anxiously).

Furthermore, '着急地' is distinct from '快' (kuài - quickly). '快' is purely about speed, whereas '着急地' is about the emotional friction of wanting to be faster or wanting a resolution immediately. You might walk '快' because you enjoy exercise, but you walk '着急地' because you are late for a job interview. This distinction is vital for learners who want to sound more natural and emotionally expressive in Mandarin.

她着急地给妈妈打电话，但是没人接。
— She anxiously called her mother, but no one answered.

Mastering the use of 着急地 requires understanding the specific placement of the particle '地' (de). In Chinese, '地' is a structural particle used to link an adjective to a verb, effectively turning that adjective into an adverb. The formula is: Subject + [着急地] + Verb + Object.

The 'De' Particle Rule: Always remember that '地' (de) is the adverbial marker. While in casual speech people might drop it and just say '着急说' (zhāojí shuō), in proper A2-B1 level writing and formal speech, the '地' is necessary to clearly define the manner of the action.

看到考试快结束了，他着急地写着最后的答案。
— Seeing the exam was almost over, he was anxiously writing the final answers.

One of the most common ways to use this word is with verbs of communication. When someone is '着急地问' (asking anxiously) or '着急地解释' (explaining anxiously), it indicates that they are under pressure to convey information or clear up a misunderstanding. This usage is very common in workplace scenarios or interpersonal conflicts.

孩子哭了，妈妈着急地跑过去抱起他。
— The child cried, and the mother anxiously ran over to pick him up.

Another frequent pattern involves physical movement. Verbs like 跑 (run), 走 (walk), 赶 (rush), and 找 (search) are natural partners for '着急地'. In these cases, the adverb modifies the physical exertion to include a layer of mental distress. If you are '着急地赶路' (rushing on your way anxiously), it suggests you are worried about being late or missing a crucial event.

Interaction with Negation: To say someone is *not* doing something anxiously, you would say '不着急地' (bù zhāojí de). However, it is more common to use '慢悠悠地' (leisurely) or '从容地' (calmly) as opposites rather than simple negation.

In more advanced contexts, you might see '着急地' used with cognitive verbs like '想' (think) or '等' (wait). '着急地等待' (waiting anxiously) is a very common phrase in literature and daily life, describing that agonizing feeling of waiting for news, a phone call, or a person who is late.

The word 着急地 is a staple of everyday Mandarin because life is full of minor and major emergencies. You will hear it in various social settings, from the frantic atmosphere of a hospital to the stressful environment of a modern office. It is a word that resonates with the fast-paced nature of modern Chinese urban life.

At the Workplace: If a project deadline is approaching and the server goes down, you'll hear colleagues saying, '经理正着急地找技术人员' (The manager is anxiously looking for the technician). It conveys the '996' culture's pressure and the high stakes of professional performance.

火车快要开了，他着急地在包里翻找车票。
— The train was about to leave, and he was anxiously rummaging through his bag for the ticket.

In family life, parents often use this word to describe their children's behavior or their own reactions. A parent might say, '他着急地想出去玩' (He is anxiously/impatiently wanting to go out and play). Here, the nuance shifts slightly towards 'impatience' rather than just 'worry.' However, the underlying sense of an internal fire driving the action remains the same.

Literature and media also heavily rely on '着急地' to build tension. In a TV drama (C-drama), when the protagonist is in trouble, the supporting characters will often be shown '着急地商量对策' (anxiously discussing a counter-strategy). It helps the audience feel the urgency of the plot. Similarly, in news broadcasts, reporters use it to describe the actions of rescue workers or people affected by natural disasters.

看到天黑了，爷爷着急地站在门口等孙子回家。
— Seeing it was getting dark, Grandpa stood at the door anxiously waiting for his grandson to come home.

Social Media & Texting: In digital communication, people often use the shorter '着急' as a verb, but when describing a third party's actions in a story or post, '着急地' remains the standard adverbial form to add descriptive flavor.

Learning to use 着急地 correctly involves avoiding several common pitfalls that English speakers often fall into due to direct translation or confusion with similar Chinese particles.

1. Confusing '地' (de) with '得' (de): This is the most frequent error. Learners often say '走得着急' (zǒu de zhāojí) when they mean '着急地走' (zhāojí de zǒu). While '走得着急' is grammatically correct, it means 'walked in a way that was anxious' (focusing on the result or degree), whereas '着急地走' focuses on the manner of the action as it happens. For describing an ongoing action, '地' is the better choice.

Wrong: 他着急的找钥匙。
Right: 他着急地找钥匙。
— Explanation: '的' is for nouns; '地' is for verbs.

Another mistake is using '着急地' for situations that are merely 'fast' but not 'worried.' If you are running a race to win a gold medal, you are '快跑' (running fast), not necessarily '着急地跑' unless you are worried about losing. '着急地' implies a negative emotional state—anxiety or distress. Using it for a happy, fast action can sound odd to native speakers.

2. Overusing it for 'Hurry': English speakers often translate 'Hurry up!' as '着急地！' which is incorrect. 'Hurry up' is usually '快点儿!' (kuài diǎnr) or '赶紧!' (gǎnjǐn). '着急地' is a descriptive adverb, not a command or an imperative.

Finally, learners sometimes confuse '着急' (zhāojí) with '焦急' (jiāojí). While they are similar, '焦急' is much stronger and more formal, often used in written literature to describe extreme, burning anxiety. Using '焦急地' in a mundane daily context like 'waiting for a bubble tea' would be overly dramatic. Stick to '着急地' for everyday worries.

Correct: 我着急地看了一下表。
Incorrect: 我着急看了一下表。
— Don't forget the '地' when modifying the verb!

To truly master the nuances of Chinese, it's helpful to compare 着急地 with its close relatives. Each word carries a slightly different 'flavor' of urgency or anxiety.

着急地 vs. 焦急地 (jiāojí de): '焦急地' is more intense. The character '焦' (jiāo) means burnt or scorched. It describes a deeper, more painful level of anxiety, often used in serious situations like waiting for medical results or during a crisis. '着急地' is more common in daily life for things like being late or losing keys.
着急地 vs. 匆忙地 (cōngmáng de): '匆忙地' translates to 'hurriedly' or 'hastily.' It focuses more on the physical speed and the lack of time, rather than the emotional state of worry. You can leave '匆忙地' without being '着急' (anxious), perhaps you're just busy.

他着急地等电话。(Emotion-focused: He is worried)
他匆忙地吃了早饭。(Action-focused: He is in a rush)

Another interesting alternative is 急急忙忙地 (jíjímángmáng de). This is a reduplicated form that emphasizes a state of being extremely rushed and a bit chaotic. It is very common in spoken Chinese and adds a sense of 'flustered' energy to the action. If you use '急急忙忙地', you are painting a picture of someone tripping over their own feet because they are in such a hurry.

Comparison Table

着急地: General anxiety + action.
赶紧 (gǎnjǐn): 'Hurry up and do...' (often an imperative).
赶快 (gǎnkuài): Similar to 赶紧, means 'at once' or 'quickly'.
火急火燎地 (huǒjíhuǒliǎo de): Slangy/Idiomatic, meaning 'as frantic as if one's hair were on fire.'

Choosing the right word depends on whether you want to emphasize the *worry* (着急地), the *speed* (匆忙地), the *chaos* (急急忙忙地), or the *command* (赶紧). For most A2-B1 learners, '着急地' is the safest and most versatile choice to describe doing things while under stress.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '急' contains the 'heart' (心) radical at the bottom, which tells you it's an emotion. The top part provides the sound and the idea of speed/reaching.

Pronunciation Guide

UK zhāo jí de

US zhāo jí de

Primary stress is on 'zhāo' and 'jí', with 'de' being unstressed.

Rhymes With

高 (gāo) 包 (bāo) 刀 (dāo) 毛 (máo - for the 'ao' sound) 皮 (pí - for the 'i' sound in jí) 题 (tí - for the 'i' sound in jí) 迷 (mí - for the 'i' sound in jí) 车 (chē - for the 'e' sound in de)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'zh' as a soft 'z'.
Failing to rise on the second tone of 'jí'.
Pronouncing 'de' with a full tone (it should be neutral).
Confusing 'zh' with 'ch'.
Mixing up the tones of 'zhāo' (1st) and 'zhǎo' (3rd).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The characters are common, but '着' has multiple pronunciations which can be tricky.

Writing 3/5

Writing '急' and '地' correctly requires practice with stroke order.

Speaking 2/5

The tones are straightforward (1-2-0), but the 'zh' sound needs focus.

Listening 2/5

It is a very high-frequency word and easy to recognize once learned.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

着急 (zhāojí) 地 (de) 跑 (pǎo) 等 (děng) 找 (zhǎo)

Learn Next

焦急 (jiāojí) 匆忙 (cōngmáng) 赶紧 (gǎnjǐn) 紧张 (jǐnzhāng) 害怕 (hàipà)

Advanced

迫不及待 (pòbùjídài) 心急如焚 (xīnjírúfén) 急中生智 (jízhōngshēngzhì) 火急火燎 (huǒjíhuǒliǎo) 手忙脚乱 (shǒumángjiǎoluàn)

Grammar to Know

Adverbial Particle '地' (de)

老师着急地走进教室。 (The teacher walked into the classroom anxiously.)

Reduplication of Adjectives as Adverbs (AABB)

他急急忙忙地走了。 (He left in a great hurry.)

Placement of Adverbs before Verbs

Subject + Adverb + Verb. (Never Verb + Adverb in Chinese without '得').

Negation of Manner Adverbs

他不着急地喝着茶。 (He is drinking tea without any hurry.)

Using '着急' as a Stative Verb/Adjective

我很着急。 (I am very anxious.)

Examples by Level

他着急地跑。

He runs anxiously.

Subject + Adverb + Verb.

我不着急地走。

I don't walk anxiously.

Negation '不' comes before the adverb.

你为什么着急地找？

Why are you looking anxiously?

Question form using '为什么'.

她着急地哭了。

She cried anxiously.

Adverb modifying an emotional verb.

着急地开门。

Open the door anxiously.

Imperative-style description.

我们着急地等老师。

We are anxiously waiting for the teacher.

Waiting (等) is a common verb for this adverb.

他着急地看表。

He is looking at his watch anxiously.

Focus on the action of checking time.

妈妈着急地叫我。

Mom is calling me anxiously.

Communication verb '叫'.

他着急地在包里找手机。

He is anxiously looking for his phone in the bag.

Using a prepositional phrase '在包里'.

因为迟到了，她着急地跑进教室。

Because she was late, she ran into the classroom anxiously.

Cause and effect structure '因为...所以...'.

医生着急地走进病房。

The doctor walked into the ward anxiously.

Professional context.

小猫不见了，妹妹着急地找它。

The kitten is gone, so younger sister is looking for it anxiously.

Context of a lost pet.

他着急地问：“我的护照呢？”

He asked anxiously, 'Where is my passport?'

Quotation with a communication verb.

看到火灾，人们着急地打119。

Seeing the fire, people anxiously called 119.

Emergency context.

他着急地想回家看奶奶。

He anxiously wants to go home to see his grandma.

Modifying the auxiliary verb '想'.

雨下大了，大家着急地跑向地铁站。

The rain got heavy, everyone ran to the subway station anxiously.

Action in response to environment.

面对突发情况，他着急地向经理汇报。

Facing a sudden situation, he reported to the manager anxiously.

Workplace reporting context.

他着急地等待着面试结果。

He is anxiously waiting for the interview results.

Abstract waiting for information.

看到孩子发烧，父母着急地商量去哪家医院。

Seeing the child had a fever, the parents anxiously discussed which hospital to go to.

Collaborative action '商量'.

他着急地解释，希望大家能原谅他。

He explained anxiously, hoping everyone could forgive him.

Communication for resolution.

时间不多了，他着急地完成了报告。

Time was running out, so he finished the report anxiously.

Deadline pressure.

她着急地翻看地图，因为她迷路了。

She anxiously flipped through the map because she was lost.

Navigational distress.

听到坏消息，他着急地站了起来。

Hearing the bad news, he stood up anxiously.

Physical reaction to news.

他着急地寻找那个丢失的优盘。

He is anxiously looking for that lost USB drive.

Specific object search.

面对考官的提问，他着急地冒了一头冷汗。

Facing the examiner's questions, he anxiously broke into a cold sweat.

Describing a physiological response.

他着急地在屋里走来走去，不知道该怎么办。

He walked back and forth in the room anxiously, not knowing what to do.

Describing restless movement.

看到比赛快输了，教练着急地大声指挥。

Seeing the game was almost lost, the coach shouted instructions anxiously.

High-stakes sports context.

她着急地给朋友发短信，询问聚会的时间。

She anxiously sent a text to her friend asking about the party time.

Modern communication.

由于交通堵塞，他着急地按着喇叭。

Due to the traffic jam, he was anxiously honking the horn.

Frustration in traffic.

他着急地想证明自己的清白。

He is anxiously trying to prove his innocence.

Abstract goal '证明'.

面对投资失败，他着急地寻求律师的帮助。

Facing investment failure, he anxiously sought help from a lawyer.

Financial/Legal distress.

由于没带钥匙，他着急地在门外等家人回来。

Since he didn't bring his keys, he waited anxiously outside for his family.

Inconvenience leading to anxiety.

在灾难现场，救援人员着急地寻找幸存者。

At the disaster site, rescuers searched anxiously for survivors.

Humanitarian/Emergency context.

看到经济下滑，企业家们着急地商讨应对策略。

Seeing the economic downturn, entrepreneurs anxiously discussed response strategies.

Macro-economic context.

他着急地想要摆脱眼前的困境。

He is anxiously trying to escape the current predicament.

Metaphorical usage.

面对舆论的压力，政府着急地发布了声明。

Facing public pressure, the government anxiously issued a statement.

Political/Public relations context.

他着急地辩解，试图挽回失去的信任。

He defended himself anxiously, trying to regain lost trust.

Interpersonal psychology.

在这场博弈中，双方都着急地想要抢占先机。

In this game/competition, both sides are anxiously trying to seize the initiative.

Strategic competition.

她着急地关注着手术室门上的红灯。

She anxiously watched the red light above the operating room door.

High emotional tension.

由于缺乏资金，项目负责人着急地四处奔波。

Due to lack of funds, the project leader rushed around anxiously.

Business struggle.

在文学作品中，作者常通过角色着急地自白来揭示其内心的脆弱。

In literary works, authors often reveal a character's inner vulnerability through their anxious monologues.

Literary analysis context.

面对环境恶化，科学家们着急地呼吁人类采取行动。

Facing environmental degradation, scientists are anxiously calling for humanity to take action.

Global advocacy context.

他着急地想要在有限的生命里完成这项伟大的工程。

He is anxiously wanting to complete this great project within his limited lifespan.

Existential urgency.

在那个动荡的年代，人们着急地寻找着精神的寄托。

In those turbulent times, people were anxiously searching for spiritual solace.

Historical/Philosophical context.

辩护律师着急地指出证据中的关键漏洞。

The defense lawyer anxiously pointed out the key loopholes in the evidence.

High-stakes legal drama.

他着急地在字里行间寻找着父亲留下的线索。

He anxiously searched for clues left by his father between the lines.

Metaphorical searching.

面对技术封锁，研发团队着急地进行着技术攻关。

Facing a technological blockade, the R&D team is anxiously carrying out technical breakthroughs.

Industrial/National competition.

她着急地想要修补那段破碎的感情，却发现为时已晚。

She anxiously wanted to mend that broken relationship, only to find it was too late.

Poignant emotional context.

Common Collocations

着急地寻找

着急地等待

着急地询问

着急地跑

着急地解释

着急地看表

着急地商量

着急地求助

着急地赶路

着急地想办法

Common Phrases

别着急

— Don't worry / Don't be in such a hurry. Used to calm someone down.

别着急，慢慢说。

真着急

— Really anxious. Used to express one's own frustration or worry.

这孩子还不回来，真着急！

着急上火

— So anxious that it causes physical symptoms like mouth sores. A common idiom.

因为工作的事，他最近着急上火。

不着急

— No rush / Not in a hurry. Used to indicate there is plenty of time.

这件事不着急，明天再说。

着急也没用

— Worrying is useless. A common philosophical phrase.

已经这样了，着急也没用。

心里着急

— Feeling anxious in one's heart. Focuses on the internal feeling.

他虽然表面冷静，其实心里着急。

着急回家

— In a hurry to go home. A very common daily goal.

下班了，大家都着急回家。

着急结婚

— In a rush to get married. A common social pressure in China.

父母总是催他着急结婚。

着急用钱

— Urgently needing money. Used in financial contexts.

他家里出了点事，现在着急用钱。

着急见某人

— In a hurry to see someone. Expresses eagerness or urgency.

他一下飞机就着急见女朋友。

Often Confused With

着急地 vs 着急的

This is an adjective used to modify a noun, like '着急的人' (an anxious person). '着急地' is for actions.

着急地 vs 急忙

Focuses more on the speed/haste than the emotional anxiety.

着急地 vs 紧张

Means 'nervous' (e.g., for a performance), while '着急' is more about urgency and worry.

Idioms & Expressions

"热锅上的蚂蚁"

— Like an ant on a hot pan. Describes someone who is extremely anxious and restless.

他在走廊里走来走去，像个热锅上的蚂蚁。

Informal/Vivid

"迫不及待"

— Too impatient to wait. Often used for eager anticipation.

他迫不及待地拆开了信封。

Formal

"心急如焚"

— One's heart is burning with anxiety. Very formal and intense.

得知家乡受灾，他心急如焚。

Literary

"急于求成"

— Anxious for quick success. A negative idiom about being too hasty.

学习不能急于求成，要慢慢来。

Neutral/Critical

"火烧眉毛"

— The fire is burning the eyebrows. Refers to an extremely urgent situation.

都火烧眉毛了，你还在睡觉！

Informal

"急不可待"

— Extremely impatient. Similar to 迫不及待.

他急不可待地冲向了终点。

Formal

"手忙脚乱"

— Hands and feet are in a tangle. Describes chaos caused by hurry and anxiety.

第一次做饭，他弄得手忙脚乱。

Informal

"气急败坏"

— Flustered and exasperated. Often implies anger mixed with anxiety.

他气急败坏地扔掉了手机。

Neutral

"急中生智"

— To hit upon a bright idea in a moment of desperation.

就在危险时刻，他急中生智想出了个办法。

Neutral

"急功近利"

— Eager for quick success and instant benefits.

这种急功近利的行为对公司有害。

Formal/Critical

Easily Confused

着急地 vs 匆忙

Both imply a lack of time.

匆忙 is neutral and focuses on being in a rush. 着急 implies you are worried about the outcome.

他匆忙吃完饭就走了。 (Neutral speed) vs. 他着急地吃完饭就走了。 (He was worried about being late).

着急地 vs 赶紧

Both relate to doing things quickly.

赶紧 is often an imperative or suggestion ('Hurry up!'). 着急地 is a descriptive adverb.

赶紧走吧！ (Command) vs. 他着急地走了。 (Description).

着急地 vs 焦急

Synonyms for anxiety.

焦急 is much stronger and more literary. 着急 is the everyday version.

他在手术室外焦急地等待。 (Serious) vs. 他在校门口着急地等车。 (Everyday).

着急地 vs 快

Learners use '快' for everything fast.

快 is just speed. 着急地 is speed + worry.

跑得快 (Runs fast - athletic) vs. 着急地跑 (Runs anxiously - late).

着急地 vs 急躁

Both use the character '急'.

急躁 is a personality trait (irritable/impatient). 着急 is a temporary state of worry.

他性格急躁。 (He is impatient) vs. 他现在很着急。 (He is worried now).

Sentence Patterns

S + 着急地 + V

他着急地走。

S + 着急地 + V + O

她着急地找钱。

因为...，S + 着急地 + V

因为迟到了，他着急地跑。

S + 着急地 + V + 着 + O

他着急地等着电话。

S + 着急地 + 在 + Place + V

他着急地在房间里走。

S + 着急地 + 向 + Person + V

她着急地向医生询问。

面对...，S + 着急地 + V

面对困难，他着急地想办法。

S + 着急地 + 想要 + V

他着急地想要弥补过错。

Word Family

Nouns

急事 (jíshì - urgent matter)

急诊 (jízhěn - emergency treatment)

急救 (jíjiù - first aid)

Verbs

着急 (zhāojí - to worry/be anxious)

急 (jí - to hurry/be urgent)

急于 (jíyú - to be eager to/anxious to)

Adjectives

急促 (jícù - hurried/rapid)

焦急 (jiāojí - anxious)

急躁 (jízào - irritable/impatient)

担心 (dānxīn - to worry)

害怕 (hàipà - to be afraid)

紧张 (jǐnzhāng - nervous)

忙 (máng - busy)

火 (huǒ - fire/anger)

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in both spoken and written Chinese.

Common Mistakes

他着急的跑。 → 他着急地跑。
Learners often use the possessive '的' instead of the adverbial marker '地'. '地' is the only correct particle for modifying a verb with an adjective.
他跑得着急地。 → 他着急地跑。 / 他跑得很着急。
You cannot put '地' at the end of a sentence or after '得'. If the adjective comes after the verb, use '得' + '很着急'. If it's before, use '着急地' + verb.
别着急地！ → 别着急！
When used as a command ('Don't worry!'), '着急' is a verb/adjective, so you don't need the adverbial particle '地'.
他着急地跑了第一名。 → 他快跑，拿了第一名。
Using '着急地' for a positive athletic achievement is strange. It implies he was worried/anxious while running, which isn't usually the focus of winning a race.
他着急地想去厕所。 → 他急着去厕所。
While '着急地' is not strictly wrong here, for physical needs, Chinese speakers usually say '急着' (jí zhe) + verb.

Tips

The 'De' Rule

Always use '地' (adverbial marker) when placing '着急' before a verb. Using '的' is a common error for learners.

Vivid Alternatives

If someone is extremely anxious, use the idiom '热锅上的蚂蚁' (ant on a hot pan) to sound more like a native speaker.

Don't Rush the Tones

Make sure you clearly distinguish the 1st tone of 'zhāo' and the 2nd tone of 'jí'. If you mess up the tones, people might not understand you.

Workplace Usage

In an office, saying '经理正着急地等你' (The manager is anxiously waiting for you) is a strong way to signal urgency.

Calming Others

If someone is acting '着急地', the best response is '别着急，慢慢来' (Don't worry, take it slow).

Show, Don't Just Tell

Instead of just saying 'He was worried,' use '他着急地走来走去' (He walked back and forth anxiously) to show the emotion through action.

Listen for 'Ji'

In many urgent words (紧急, 急诊, 着急), the 'jí' sound is present. It's a universal sound for 'urgency' in Chinese.

Pair with Verbs

Learn '着急地' in pairs with verbs like '等' (wait), '找' (find), and '跑' (run). This makes it easier to use in real life.

Not just 'Fast'

Remember that '着急地' is not a synonym for 'fast'. It's a synonym for 'worriedly fast'.

Retroflex 'Zh'

The 'zh' in 'zhāo' requires you to curl your tongue back slightly. It's different from the English 'z'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Zha-O' as 'Oh no!' and 'Ji' as 'Geez!'. When you say 'Oh no! Geez!', you are feeling '着急' (anxious). The 'de' is just the '-ly' to make it an adverb.

Visual Association

Imagine a person running towards a departing train while their heart is literally glowing red (the 'fire' of anxiety).

Word Web

着急着急地着急地等着急地找着急地问着急地跑别着急心里着急

Challenge

Try to use '着急地' in three different sentences today: one about work, one about a lost item, and one about waiting for someone.

Word Origin

The word '着急' is composed of two characters. '着' (zhāo) in this context means 'to touch' or 'to come into contact with,' but it evolved to signify 'feeling' or 'suffering.' '急' (jí) is an ancient character depicting a hand reaching for a heart, signifying urgency or pressure on the heart. Together, they describe the feeling of one's heart being pressured or 'on fire' due to external circumstances.

Original meaning: To be in a state of urgency or to feel the pressure of time/problems.

Sino-Tibetan (Chinese)

Cultural Context

Be careful not to sound too demanding when telling others '别着急'. Use a soft tone to be genuinely comforting.

English speakers might use 'nervously' or 'hurriedly' in places where Chinese speakers would prefer '着急地'. 'Anxiously' is the closest emotional match.

Commonly heard in 'C-Dramas' during hospital or kidnapping scenes. Used in news reports about the 'Spring Festival Rush' (春运). Appears in children's stories like 'The Little Tadpoles Looking for Mama'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Missing a transportation deadline

着急地看时间
着急地赶火车
着急地给司机打电话
着急地跑向登机口

Losing a personal item

着急地翻口袋
着急地问路人
着急地回想
着急地找钱包

Waiting for important news

着急地等电话
着急地刷网页
着急地问医生
着急地走来走去

Workplace emergencies

着急地改代码
着急地写报告
着急地联系客户
着急地开会商量

Interpersonal conflicts

着急地解释原因
着急地道歉
着急地想挽回
着急地求原谅

Conversation Starters

"你刚才为什么着急地跑出去？ (Why did you just run out anxiously?)"

"如果你着急地找东西，你会先找哪里？ (If you were anxiously looking for something, where would you look first?)"

"你看到他着急地在打电话吗？ (Did you see him making a call anxiously?)"

"别着急地做决定，先考虑一下。 (Don't make a decision anxiously/hastily; think about it first.)"

"她着急地等着面试结果，我们要不要安慰她？ (She is anxiously waiting for her interview results; should we comfort her?)"

Journal Prompts

描述一次你着急地寻找丢失物品的经历。 (Describe a time you were anxiously looking for a lost item.)

当有人着急地向你求助时，你通常会怎么做？ (What do you usually do when someone anxiously asks you for help?)

写一段话，描述一个人在火车站着急地等人的样子。 (Write a paragraph describing someone anxiously waiting for someone at a train station.)

你认为着急地做事情会影响效率吗？为什么？ (Do you think doing things anxiously affects efficiency? Why?)

回忆一次你着急地解释误会的场景。 (Recall a scene where you were anxiously explaining a misunderstanding.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

In casual spoken Chinese, people often drop '地' (e.g., '别着急走'). However, for exams and formal writing, '地' is required to turn the adjective into an adverb. Using it makes your Chinese sound more standard and clear.

It is generally negative or neutral. It implies a state of stress, anxiety, or worry. If you are 'impatiently' waiting for something good, like a gift, '迫不及待地' is a better, more positive choice.

'着急地' emphasizes the emotion of being worried. '急忙地' emphasizes the physical act of being in a rush. If you are worried about a lost dog, use '着急地'. If you are just rushing to catch a bus, '急忙地' works fine.

It has 9 strokes. Start with the top part (a variant of 'person' and 'hand'), then the middle 'cross' part, and finally the 'heart' (心) radical at the bottom. Remember, the heart is at the bottom because anxiety is a feeling.

Use '焦急地' in formal writing, literature, or when the situation is extremely serious (like a life-or-death emergency). For everyday things like being late for a meeting, '着急地' is more appropriate.

Yes, '着急地想办法' (anxiously thinking of a way) is a very common phrase. It shows that the thinking process itself is frantic and stressed.

Usually, yes, as it describes a human emotion. However, it can be used for pets (like a dog '着急地' looking for its owner) in a personified way.

The most direct opposites are '从容地' (calmly) or '不慌不忙地' (unhurriedly). '慢悠悠地' (leisurely) is also a good antonym for less formal contexts.

The character '着' is a polyphone. In '着急', it is 'zhāo'. In '看着', it is 'zhe'. In '着火', it is 'zháo'. It's one of the trickiest characters in Chinese, so you just have to memorize the pronunciation for each specific word.

Neither is 'better,' but '急急忙忙' is more descriptive and colloquial. It paints a more vivid picture of someone being flustered. '着急地' is more direct and focuses on the worry.