Inklingo

How to Say "hurry" in Spanish

English → Spanish

prisa

/PREE-sah//ˈpɾisa/

NounA1General
Use 'prisa' when you need to do something or go somewhere quickly, emphasizing the need for speed.
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-roh//aˈpuɾo/

NounA2General
Use 'apuro' to describe the state of being in a rush or a difficult situation that requires quick action.
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.

Prisa vs. Apuro

Learners often confuse 'prisa' and 'apuro'. Remember that 'prisa' is primarily about the need for speed ('I have a hurry'), while 'apuro' can also imply a more general state of being rushed or even a minor predicament ('I'm in a rush/tight spot').

Related Translations

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