急(きゅう)

きゅう
na-adjective
sudden, steep, urgent
descriptive
See also: 急(きゅう)に (suddenly (adverb))
1. sudden, abrupt, unexpected
Happening quickly and without warning. Describes events, changes, or actions that occur with little or no notice.
急(きゅう)な変化(へんか)に驚(おどろ)いた。
I was surprised by the sudden change.
急(きゅう)な予定(よてい)変更(へんこう)で困(こま)った。
I was troubled by the sudden schedule change.
急(きゅう)なお願(ねが)いで申(もう)し訳(わけ)ありませんが、明日(あした)までに返事(へんじ)をいただけますか。
I'm sorry for the sudden request, but could you reply by tomorrow?
2. steep, sharp (incline)
Describes a slope, hill, or curve that rises or falls at a sharp angle.
急(きゅう)な坂(さか)を上(のぼ)る。
To climb a steep slope.
この道(みち)は急(きゅう)なカーブが多(おお)い。
This road has many sharp curves.
山道(やまみち)が急(きゅう)になってきたので、休憩(きゅうけい)を取(と)ることにした。
The mountain path became steeper, so we decided to take a break.
3. urgent, pressing
Requiring immediate attention or action. Used for matters that cannot wait.
急(きゅう)を要(よう)する問題(もんだい)だ。
It's a problem that requires urgent attention.
急(きゅう)な用事(ようじ)ができた。
An urgent matter came up.
急(きゅう)を要(よう)する患者(かんじゃ)がいるので、すぐに手術室(しゅじゅつしつ)を準備(じゅんび)してください。
There's a patient in urgent need, so please prepare the operating room immediately.

Usage

急(きゅう) functions as a na-adjective (急(きゅう)な + noun) and also appears in many common compounds. It is frequently used in the pattern 急(きゅう)に (suddenly) as an adverb.

Common patterns

  • 急(きゅう)な + noun: sudden/steep/urgent [noun]
  • 急(きゅう)に: suddenly, abruptly (adverbial use)
  • 急(きゅう)を要(よう)する: to require urgency

Compounds

Related Words

Synonym: 突然(とつぜん) (sudden, unexpected)
Compare: 緩(ゆる)い (loose)
Related: 険(けわ)しい (steep)
Related: 唐突(とうとつ) (sudden, abrupt, unexpected)
Compare: 突発(とっぱつ) (sudden occurrence)
Compare: なだらか (gentle)
Compare: 突発的(とっぱつてき) (sudden)
Compare: 急峻(きゅうしゅん) (steep)
general
Added 2026.2.23 18:59 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:31
13000/13042_kyuu