Search…

Search blog post titles and content.

N4

Kanji 急: meanings, readings, and example words.

2 min read

Kanji 急: hurry, emergency, sudden, steep

Key takeaways

Kanji 急: hurry, emergency, sudden, steep. Readings and core meaning.

See vocabulary and examples below.

Kanji at a glance

N4

Meaning

hurryemergencysuddensteep

On reading

キュウ

Kun reading

いそ.ぐいそ.ぎせ.く

Radical

Core meaning / core image

Core meaning: 急

hurry, emergency, sudden, steep

Kanji structure breakdown

Structure breakdown

𠂊 + ⺕ + 心

Mnemonic story

Mnemonic story

Imagine a hand (𠂊) reaching out to grab a pig's head (⺕) in a hurry because your heart (心) is racing. It represents a state of urgency, like preparing for a sudden feast or ritual. This character is used in words like 'emergency' or 'express train.'

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

キュウ
  • 応急おうきゅう

    first aid / emergency treatment

  • 緊急きんきゅう

    urgent / emergency / pressing

  • 早急さっきゅう

    urgent / immediate / pressing

  • 準急じゅんきゅう

    semi-express train / local express

  • 至急しきゅう

    urgent / immediate / pressing

  • 急激きゅうげき

    sudden / rapid / sharp change

  • 急速きゅうそく

    rapid / fast / quick

  • きゅう

    urgent / sudden / steep

Kun reading

いそ.ぐ
  • 急ぐいそぐ

    to hurry, to rush

Commonly used words

  • 応急
    おうきゅう

    first aid / emergency treatment

  • 緊急
    きんきゅう

    urgent / emergency / pressing

  • 早急
    さっきゅう

    urgent / immediate / pressing

  • 準急
    じゅんきゅう

    semi-express train / local express

  • 至急
    しきゅう

    urgent / immediate / pressing

  • 急激
    きゅうげき

    sudden / rapid / sharp change

  • 急ぐ
    いそぐ

    to hurry, to rush

Example sentences

Example 1

処置をしてから病院へ行く。

Translation

Perform first aid before going to the hospital.

Example 2

用の道具を準備しておこう。

Translation

Let's prepare emergency supplies.

Example 3

の用事で会社に行った。

Translation

I went to the company for an urgent matter.

Example 4

の電話がかかってきた。

Translation

An emergency call came in.

Kanji 急: hurry, emergency, sudden, steep | Daily Nihongo