せっかち
せっかち
na-adjective, noun
impatient; hasty; restless
1.
impatient; hasty; restless
Unable to wait calmly; tending to rush or hurry. Describes someone who wants things done quickly and gets frustrated by delays.
彼はせっかちで、エレベーターを待てずに階段を使う。
He's impatient and takes the stairs because he can't wait for the elevator.
せっかちな性格を直したい。
I want to fix my impatient nature.
そんなにせっかちにならないで。まだ時間はある。
Don't be so impatient. We still have time.
USAGE:
- せっかちな人/性格 (an impatient person/personality)
- せっかちになる (to become impatient)
NUANCE:
Generally mildly negative, suggesting someone who rushes unnecessarily or can't relax. Often used self-deprecatingly.
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- せっかちを起こす (to get impatient - somewhat literary)
- せっかちな食べ方 (eating quickly/hastily)
ETYMOLOGY:
From the verb 急く (to hurry) plus the suffix ～かち (tendency toward). Literally "tendency to rush."
CONTRAST:
- せっかち ↔ のんびり (impatient ↔ easygoing/relaxed)
- せっかち ↔ 気長 (impatient ↔ patient)