急ぐ vs 慌てる
Japanese word comparison
Listen to 急ぐ
Listen to 慌てる
| 急ぐ | 慌てる |
|---|---|
i-SO-gu verb | あわてる verb |
| to hurry; to do something quickly because there is little time | to rush in a flustered or panicked way |
How they differ
急ぐ means to hurry because time is short or because you want to finish quickly. 慌てる adds a sense of panic, confusion, or losing composure, so it is often about the state of mind while acting rather than simply moving quickly.
When to use each
When to use 急ぐ: Use 急ぐ when you mean to move or act quickly for practical reasons, without necessarily being flustered.
When to use 慌てる: Use 慌てる when the person is flustered, panicking, or making hurried mistakes.
Side-by-side examples
- 急がないと電車に乗り遅れる。
(If I don't hurry, I'll miss the train.) - 財布をなくして慌てた。
(I panicked when I lost my wallet.)
Register & nuance: Both words are common, but 慌てる is especially natural when describing emotional agitation or a sudden flustered reaction.