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道Nihongo Path
急

急·hurry, sudden

On-yomi
キュウ
Kun-yomi
いそ(ぐ)

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

9 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
急ぐいそぐto hurry
急行きゅうこうexpress train
急にきゅうにsuddenly
特急とっきゅうlimited express

Example sentences

  1. 時間がないので急ぎましょう。

    じかんがないのでいそぎましょう。

    We're short on time, so let's hurry.

  2. 急に雨が降ってきました。

    きゅうにあめがふってきました。

    It suddenly started raining.

  3. 急行はこの駅に止まりません。

    きゅうこうはこのえきにとまりません。

    The express doesn't stop at this station.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • 急行 and 特急 are not the same: 特急 is faster and stops at fewer stations.

Memory aid

Picture it

A hand reaching down to grab, with a heart (心) underneath — the feeling of being rushed.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 急 mean?