adjective / verb HSK 3
urgent · anxious · hurried · to worry · impatient
Meaning
急 describes a state of urgency, anxiety, or haste. It can refer to situations that require immediate attention or to a person's emotional state of being anxious or impatient. The character combines meanings of both external urgency and internal worry.
Usage
This is a very common word in everyday Mandarin. It's used to describe both urgent situations (急事 urgent matter) and anxious feelings (着急 to be anxious). Often appears in imperatives like 别急 (don't worry) or 不急 (no hurry). Can function as both an adjective and verb depending on context.
Examples
- 01别着急，慢慢来。, .Don't worry, take your time.
- 02我有急事要处理。.I have an urgent matter to handle.
Common collocations
- 着急to be anxious/worried
- 心急impatient
- 急事urgent matter
- 别急don't worry, take it easy
Antonyms
Origin
The traditional form shows a hand (手) over a heart (心), suggesting the physical sensation of urgency or anxiety affecting the heart.