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急
hurry · urgent · sudden · steep
N4On: きゅうKun: いそ
Memory Aid
'Kyuu' — Imagine a 'queue' forming quickly, creating an 'urgent' situation.
The top part looks like someone leaning forward and running quickly, with a heart (心) driving them. The bottom resembles a foot (part of 及) taking a quick step. This reinforces the idea of 'hurrying' or 'suddenness'.
Vocabulary
急ぐいそぐto hurry, to rush
急にきゅうにsuddenly
急行きゅうこうexpress train
急用きゅうようurgent business/matter
特急とっきゅうlimited express (train)
Example Sentences
急いで駅へ行きました。
I hurried to the station.
急に雨が降り始めました。
Suddenly, it started raining.
この電車は急行です。
This train is an express train.
急な坂道を登るのは大変です。
Climbing a steep slope is tough.