Inklingo

How to Say "haste" in Spanish

English → Spanish

prisa

PREE-sahˈpɾisa

nounA1formal
Use 'prisa' when you simply need to move or act quickly, often due to a time constraint or appointment.
A high-speed cartoon character running extremely fast down a path with motion lines, showing a wide-eyed, stressed expression to convey urgency and hurry.

Examples

Tengo prisa, no puedo hablar ahora.

I'm in a hurry, I can't talk right now.

¿Por qué tanta prisa? Tenemos tiempo.

Why such a rush? We have time.

¡Date prisa o perderemos el tren!

Hurry up or we'll miss the train!

Use 'Tener' (to have), not 'Estar' (to be)

In English, you say 'I am in a hurry.' But in Spanish, you 'have' a hurry. Always use the verb 'tener' to describe this feeling. For example: 'Tengo prisa' (I'm in a hurry).

Saying 'Estoy prisa'

Mistake: “Estoy prisa porque el autobús llega pronto.”

Correction: Tengo prisa porque el autobús llega pronto. Remember, in Spanish, a 'hurry' is something you possess or have, not a state you are in.

apuro

ah-POO-rohaˈpuɾo

nounA2informal
Choose 'apuro' to describe a state of being busy or rushed, implying a need to hurry but not necessarily that you are currently moving fast.
A person with a backpack running quickly down a path with toast in their mouth.

Examples

No tengo apuro, podemos hablar más tarde.

I'm in no hurry, we can talk later.

Caminaba con mucho apuro por la calle.

He was walking down the street in a great rush.

Apuro vs. Prisa

In Spain, 'prisa' is the standard word for hurry. In parts of Latin America, 'apuro' is used just as frequently to mean you need to go fast.

urgencia

oor-HEN-syahuɾˈxensja

nounA2
Use 'urgencia' when there's a critical or pressing need to do something immediately.
A ringing red alarm bell on a plain background with motion lines.

Examples

No hay ninguna urgencia, tómate tu tiempo.

There is no urgency, take your time.

Atendieron el asunto con mucha urgencia.

They handled the matter with great urgency.

Feminine Word Pattern

Most Spanish words ending in '-cia' are feminine. You should always use feminine markers like 'la' or 'una' with it.

Using 'urgencia' as an adjective

Mistake: “Es muy urgencia.”

Correction: Es muy urgente.

precipitación

nounB2
Employ 'precipitación' when referring to the act of acting too quickly without proper consideration or thought.

Examples

No debemos actuar con precipitación; hay que pensar bien las cosas.

We shouldn't act with haste; we must think things through.

Confusing general hurry with rushed actions

Learners often confuse 'apuro' or 'prisa' (general hurry) with 'precipitación' (acting rashly). Remember that 'precipitación' specifically implies a lack of thought or planning behind the speed, while the others just indicate a need to be quick.

Related Translations

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