Inklingo

How to Say "rush" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “rush” is “prisa” — use 'prisa' when you need to hurry or are in a hurry, often implying a general sense of being rushed or having little time.

English → Spanish

prisa

PREE-sahˈpɾisa

nounA1general
Use 'prisa' when you need to hurry or are in a hurry, often implying a general sense of being rushed or having little 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.

apúrense

verbA2informal
Use 'apúrense' as a command to tell a group to hurry up and finish something quickly.

Examples

¡Apúrense, que el tren ya se va!

Hurry up, the train is leaving!

punta

POON-tahˈpunta

nounB2general
Use 'punta' specifically when referring to 'rush hour' in the context of traffic or busy periods.
A simple, stylized illustration of a very tall, snow-capped mountain peak rising sharply against a blue sky.

Examples

El tráfico es terrible en hora punta.

Traffic is terrible during rush hour.

Los precios están en punta durante el verano.

Prices are at their peak during the summer.

The 'Rush Hour' Phrase

When talking about rush hour, Spanish uses the phrase 'hora punta' (literally 'point hour'), which is the most common use of this meaning.

adrenalina

ah-dre-nah-LEE-nahaðɾenaˈlina

nounB1general
Use 'adrenalina' to describe the feeling of intense excitement or a thrill, often associated with adrenaline.
A person with wide eyes and a huge smile riding a fast roller coaster with their hands in the air.

Examples

Me encanta el subidón de adrenalina de las montañas rusas.

I love the adrenaline rush of roller coasters.

Hacer paracaidismo es pura adrenalina.

Skydiving is pure adrenaline/excitement.

Using 'Pura'

When you want to say something is 'pure excitement,' you say 'es pura adrenalina.' Since the word is feminine, 'puro' must change to 'pura'.

torrente

toh-RREHN-tehtoˈrente

nounB2figurative
Use 'torrente' to describe a sudden, overwhelming outpouring, especially of emotions or words.
A massive pile of colorful letters and envelopes overflowing from a wooden mailbox.

Examples

Sintió un torrente de emociones al ver a su familia.

He felt a flood of emotions upon seeing his family.

Las medicinas entran directamente en el torrente sanguíneo.

The medicines enter directly into the bloodstream.

Ella soltó un torrente de palabras sin dejarme hablar.

She let out a rush of words without letting me speak.

Using 'de' for descriptions

To describe what kind of 'flood' it is, simply add 'de' followed by a noun, like 'torrente de insultos' (flood of insults).

Overusing 'río'

Mistake: “un río de emociones”

Correction: While understandable, 'torrente de emociones' sounds much more natural when describing a sudden, overwhelming feeling.

avenida

ah-veh-NEE-dahaβeˈniða

nounC1figurative
Use 'avenida' to describe a sudden, powerful flow or surge of something, like water, often in a physical sense.
A dynamic illustration showing a sudden, forceful wave of blue water surging forward rapidly.

Examples

Tras el deshielo, hubo una avenida de agua que arrasó el valle.

After the thaw, there was a rush of water that swept through the valley.

General Urgency vs. Specific Contexts

Learners often confuse 'prisa' (general hurry) with more specific terms. Remember that 'punta' is only for 'rush hour,' 'apúrense' is a command to hurry, and 'adrenalina' refers to excitement, not just being busy.

Related Translations

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