Inklingo

How to Say "hurry" in Spanish

English → Spanish

prisa

PREE-sahˈpɾisa

nounA1general
Use 'prisa' when you are in a situation where you need to do something or go somewhere quickly, often implying a lack of time.
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

nounA2general
Use 'apuro' to describe the state of being rushed or in a tight spot, often implying a need to rush due to circumstances.
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.

precipitación

nounB2general
Use 'precipitación' to refer to acting with excessive speed or haste, often with negative connotations of not thinking things through.

Examples

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

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

Prisa vs. Apuro

Learners often confuse 'prisa' and 'apuro'. Remember that 'prisa' is about the immediate need to go or do something fast, while 'apuro' describes the state of being rushed or in a difficult situation that requires speed.

Related Translations

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