そそくさ

adverb

hurriedly; hastily; in a rush to leave

1. hurriedly; hastily; in a rush

Moving or leaving quickly, often to escape an uncomfortable situation or because one is busy. Implies departing abruptly without lingering.

彼(かれ)はそそくさと帰(かえ)っていった。

He hurried away.

食事(しょくじ)を終(お)えるとそそくさと席(せき)を立(た)った。

After finishing the meal, they hastily got up from their seat.

そそくさと準備(じゅんび)をして出(で)かけた。

They hurriedly got ready and left.

Etymology

A gitaigo (mimetic word) depicting quick, somewhat furtive movement.

Common patterns

そそくさと帰(かえ)る - to hurry home
そそくさと立(た)ち去(さ)る - to leave in a hurry
そそくさと片付(かたづ)ける - to clean up hastily

Usage

Implies leaving without staying to chat or lingering. Often suggests the person wants to avoid further interaction or has somewhere urgent to be. Can have a slightly negative connotation of being unsociable.

Similar words

急(いそ)いで - in a hurry (neutral)
ばたばたと - frantically, busily
こそこそ - stealthily, sneakily

Related Words

Related: こそこそ (stealthily, sneakily)

Compare: 急(いそ)いで (in a hurry)

Compare: 急(いそ)ぐ (in a hurry)

general

Added 2026.1.20 17:19 · Revised 2026.10.6 15:22

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