Hurry up
in Spanish¡Date prisa!
/DAH-teh PREE-sah/
This is the most direct and universally understood way to tell one person you're familiar with (someone you'd call 'tú') to hurry. It literally translates to 'give yourself haste'.
Telling someone to 'hurry up' is a common part of daily life, like getting the family out the door on time.
💬Other Ways to Say It
¡Apúrate!
/ah-POO-rah-teh/
Another extremely common informal command, especially popular throughout Latin America. It comes from the verb 'apurarse' (to hurry oneself).
¡Rápido!
/RRAH-pee-doh/
A simple and direct command meaning 'Quickly!' or 'Fast!'. Because it's just an adverb, you don't need to change it for formality or number of people.
¡Dese prisa!
/DEH-seh PREE-sah/
This is the formal version of '¡Date prisa!'. You use it when speaking to someone you'd address as 'usted', like an elder, a boss, or a stranger.
¡Apúrese!
/ah-POO-reh-seh/
The formal 'usted' equivalent of '¡Apúrate!'. Just like its informal counterpart, it's very common in Latin America.
¡Dense prisa! / ¡Apúrense!
/DEN-seh PREE-sah/ / /ah-POO-ren-seh/
These are the plural versions, used when telling a group of two or more people to hurry up. They work for both formal and informal groups in Latin America, but just formal groups in Spain.
¡Vamos!
/BAH-mohs/
While it literally means 'Let's go!', it's very frequently used to imply 'Hurry up' in a more encouraging, collective way. It feels less like a command and more like a rallying cry.
¡Venga!
/BEN-gah/
A very common expression in Spain with many meanings, one of which is 'Come on!' or 'Hurry up!'. It has an encouraging and slightly impatient tone.
¡Ándale!
/AHN-dah-leh/
This is quintessentially Mexican slang. While it can mean 'okay' or 'wow', in the right context, it's a very common way to say 'Hurry up!' or 'Get a move on!'.
¡Córrele!
/COR-reh-leh/
Literally 'Run!', this is an emphatic and very informal way to tell someone to hurry up, especially in Mexico. It implies a great sense of urgency.
¡Dale!
/DAH-leh/
Meaning 'Go for it!' or 'Hit it!', '¡Dale!' is often used to get someone moving. It's encouraging and energetic, implying speed.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Here's a quick comparison of the most common ways to say 'hurry up' to one person.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¡Date prisa! | Informal | A direct, universal command for friends and family. | Speaking to superiors, elders, or strangers. |
| ¡Apúrate! | Informal | Friends and family, especially common in Latin America. | Formal situations or when you want to be extra polite. |
| ¡Dese prisa! | Formal | Politely addressing strangers, clients, or authority figures. | Chatting with close friends, where it would sound stiff. |
| ¡Rápido! | Neutral | Urgent situations or when you need a quick, universal word. | You want to be particularly polite, as it can sound blunt. |
| ¡Vamos! | Neutral | Encouraging a person or group to move in a friendly way. | You need to give a very direct, forceful command. |
📈Difficulty Level
Generally straightforward. The double 'r' in 'córrele' can be tricky, but most versions use sounds common in English.
This requires understanding commands (imperative mood) and reflexive pronouns (te, se, nos), which is a step beyond basic vocabulary.
High potential to sound rude if used improperly. Tone, context, and formality are extremely important to navigate correctly.
Key Challenges:
- Mastering reflexive pronouns for commands (te, se, nos).
- Choosing the correct formality level (tú vs. usted).
- Using a tone that sounds encouraging rather than demanding.
💡Examples in Action
¡Date prisa, Ana! Vamos a perder el autobús.
Hurry up, Ana! We're going to miss the bus.
Señor, ¿podría darse prisa, por favor? Tengo un vuelo que coger.
Sir, could you please hurry? I have a flight to catch.
¡Apúrense todos! El desayuno está listo y se va a enfriar.
Everyone hurry up! Breakfast is ready and it's going to get cold.
¡Ándale, güey, que nos dejan!
Hurry up, dude, they're gonna leave without us!
🌍Cultural Context
Tone is Everything
Just like in English, telling someone to 'hurry up' can sound friendly and encouraging or rude and demanding. Your tone of voice, facial expression, and adding 'por favor' (please) can make all the difference between being motivating and being pushy.
The Concept of Time ('La Hora Latina')
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the concept of punctuality can be more relaxed than in others. While this is a generalization, being 10-15 minutes 'late' for a social gathering is often normal. However, for formal appointments or business, punctuality is still expected.
Reflexive Verbs: Doing it to Yourself
Notice how many variations use 'se' or 'te' at the end (apurarSE, darSE prisa). This is because in Spanish, you 'hurry yourself'. It's a reflexive action, something you do to yourself, which is a common grammatical concept in Spanish.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Reflexive Pronoun
Mistake: "Saying '¡Apura!' instead of '¡Apúrate!'"
Correction: ¡Apúrate!
Using the Wrong Formality
Mistake: "Telling your new boss, '¡Date prisa!'"
Correction: ¡Dese prisa, por favor!
Confusing 'Prisa' and 'Deprisa'
Mistake: "Saying '¡Tengo deprisa!' to mean 'I'm in a hurry.'"
Correction: Tengo prisa.
💡Pro Tips
Soften the Command
To avoid sounding rude, it's always a good idea to add 'por favor' (please) after your command. For example, '¡Apúrate, por favor!'. A friendly smile and an encouraging tone also go a long way.
Know Your Audience (and Your Pronouns)
Before you speak, quickly think about who you're talking to. Is it one friend (tú -> -te)? A respected elder (usted -> -se)? A group of people (ustedes -> -nse)? Matching the ending to your audience is key to sounding natural.
Use 'Vamos' for a Softer Touch
If you want to get people moving without giving a direct order, '¡Vamos!' (Let's go!) is your best friend. It creates a sense of shared purpose and is much less bossy than a direct command.
Listen to the Locals
Pay attention to which phrases you hear most often in the region you're in. If everyone around you in Mexico City is saying '¡Ándale!', try using it yourself. It will make you sound more like a local.
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
The use of '¡Venga!' is a hallmark of Spanish speech, used constantly to mean 'come on' or 'hurry up'. They also use the 'vosotros' form, '¡Daos prisa!', for informal groups, which is not used in Latin America.
Mexico
Mexico is famous for '¡Ándale!' and '¡Córrele!', which are deeply ingrained in local slang. '¡Apúrate!' is probably the most standard and common form used in everyday life.
Argentina (Southern Cone)
The use of 'vos' instead of 'tú' is key. This changes commands, so you'll hear '¡Apurate!' (with the stress on the 'a') instead of '¡Apúrate!'. '¡Dale!' is extremely common as an encouragement to go faster.
💬What Comes Next?
After you tell someone to hurry up
¡Ya voy! / ¡Un momento!
I'm coming! / One moment!
¡Vale, pero no tardes!
Okay, but don't be long!
Someone seems annoyed that you're rushing them
¿Cuál es la prisa?
What's the rush?
Es que llegamos tarde a la cita.
It's just that we're late for the appointment.
You are the one being told to hurry up
¡Date prisa!
Hurry up!
¡Tranquilo, ya casi estoy!
Calm down, I'm almost ready!
🧠Memory Tricks
This connects the sound of 'prisa' to the English word 'prize', helping you remember it means to do something quickly to get a reward (like being on time).
Greyhounds are famous for their speed. Linking 'Apúrate' to the idea of a pure, fast race helps cement the meaning of 'hurry'.
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest difference is grammatical. English uses a simple phrasal verb ('hurry up'), while Spanish often uses reflexive verbs like 'apurarse' or 'darse prisa'. This means the verb form changes depending on who you're talking to ('apúra-te', 'apúre-se', 'apúren-se'), which adds a layer of complexity not present in the simple English phrase.
Both languages can be equally direct. However, Spanish culture often places a high value on politeness, so direct commands like '¡Date prisa!' are more frequently softened with 'por favor' or replaced with more encouraging phrases like '¡Vamos!' than the English 'Hurry up!' might be.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: A direct translation of 'Tengo prisa' (I have haste) sounds very unnatural in English. We say 'I'm in a hurry.'
Use instead: Remember the structure 'tener prisa' in Spanish corresponds to 'to be in a hurry' in English.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say 'we're late'
This is the most common reason you'd need to tell someone to hurry up.
How to say 'let's go'
'¡Vamos!' is a softer alternative to 'hurry up' and a very useful phrase on its own.
How to say 'don't worry'
This is a good response if someone is rushing you, or to reassure someone who is stressed about time.
How to say 'be patient'
This is the opposite of 'hurry up' and useful for managing conversations about time and speed.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: Hurry up
Question 1 of 3
You are trying to politely get your new, older boss to move faster to make a meeting. What is the most appropriate phrase to use?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between '¡Date prisa!' and '¡Apúrate!'?
Functionally, they mean the exact same thing and are often interchangeable. '¡Date prisa!' is slightly more common in Spain, while '¡Apúrate!' is more common in Latin America, but both are universally understood. Think of it like 'sofa' vs. 'couch' – different words, same meaning.
Is it rude to tell someone to hurry up in Spanish?
It can be, just like in English. The key is context and tone. Yelling '¡Rápido!' at a slow-moving elderly person is rude. Saying '¡Vamos, chicos!' with a smile to your friends is perfectly fine. When in doubt, add 'por favor' (please) to soften it.
How do I tell a group of friends to hurry up?
You would use the plural form. The most common is '¡Apúrense!'. You could also use '¡Dense prisa!'. In Spain, you would use the 'vosotros' form with friends: '¡Daos prisa!' or '¡Apuraos!'.
What's a more polite or indirect way to say 'hurry up'?
Instead of a direct command, you can state the reason for the rush. For example, saying 'Se nos hace tarde' (We're running late) or 'Tenemos que irnos ya' (We have to leave now) gets the point across without being bossy.
Can I just say '¡Prisa!' by itself?
No, that doesn't work. 'Prisa' is a noun meaning 'haste'. You can't use it as a command on its own. The shortest, most direct command would be '¡Rápido!' (Quickly!).
How do I say 'I'm in a hurry'?
You say 'Tengo prisa' (I have haste). You can also say 'Estoy apurado' (if you're male) or 'Estoy apurada' (if you're female), which means 'I am rushed'.
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