Inklingo

How to Say "urgency" in Spanish

English → Spanish

prisa

/PREE-sah//ˈpɾisa/

nounA1general
Use 'prisa' when referring to the feeling of being rushed or needing to hurry in your personal actions.
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.

urgencia

/oor-HEN-syah//uɾˈxensja/

nounA2general
Use 'urgencia' when describing a situation that objectively requires immediate attention or action, often in a more formal or critical context.
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.

Prisa vs. Urgencia: Personal Rush vs. Situational Need

Learners often confuse 'prisa' and 'urgencia' by using 'urgencia' for personal feelings of being rushed. Remember, 'prisa' is about *your* need to hurry, while 'urgencia' is about the *situation's* need for attention.

Related Translations

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