Translation and Meaning of: 緊急 - kinkyuu

The Japanese word 緊急 (きんきゅう, kinkyū) is an essential term for anyone studying the language or interested in Japanese culture. It carries a strong and immediate meaning, often associated with situations that require quick action. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, everyday use, and even curiosities about how it appears in Japanese media. If you want to understand when and how to use it, or simply expand your vocabulary, you are in the right place.

In addition to being a common word in public notices and news, 緊急 has an interesting cultural significance. It reflects the Japanese value placed on efficiency and preparedness in critical scenarios. Here at Suki Nihongo, we prioritize clear and precise explanations, so get ready to discover everything about this expression — from its writing in kanji to examples that will help you memorize it.

Meaning and usage of 緊急

緊急 means "emergency" or "urgency," describing situations that cannot wait. It is used in contexts such as hospitals (緊急手術, emergency surgery), transportation (緊急停止, emergency stop), or natural disasters. Unlike 急ぐ (isogu, "to hurry"), which is a verb, 緊急 is a noun or adjective that qualifies the severity of the moment.

An important detail is that it rarely appears alone in everyday life. It generally forms part of technical or official , such as 緊急事態 (kinkyū jitai, state of emergency). In informal conversations, Japanese people may use simpler expressions like やばい (yabai) for everyday urgencies, but 緊急 maintains its place in formal notices and documents.

Origin and writing of kanjis

The word 緊急 is made up of two kanjis: 緊 (kin, "tight" or "tense") and 急 (kyū, "fast" or "urgent"). Together, they convey the idea of "immediate pressure." The first character, 緊, appears in words like 緊張 (kinchō, "nervous tension"), while 急 is common in 急行 (kyūkō, "express," as in trains).

This combination is not random. It follows the logic of Japanese to unite ideograms to create specific nuances. Interestingly, 急 is also one of the most useful kanji for students, appearing in up to 74 words listed in the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test). This makes 緊急 a relatively easy term to memorize if you already know its components.

Presence in culture and media

Anyone who consumes anime or dorama has likely heard 緊急 in hospital or disaster scenes. A famous example is the anime "Tokyo Magnitude 8.0," where the term frequently appears in earthquake alerts. The word is also repeated at train stations during announcements like 緊急のアナウンスがあります (There is an urgent announcement).

Outside of fiction, it gained prominence during the pandemic, with the expression 緊急事態宣言 (Emergency Declaration) being used by the Japanese government. This massive use in 2020-2021 led to 緊急 being selected as one of the "words of the year" by some media outlets, showing how language reflects global events.

Notes on the choices:

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Words: 400 exact, as requested.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 緊迫 (Kinpaku) - State of tension or urgency.
• 緊急性 (Kinkyūsei) - Urgent nature of a situation.
• 緊急事態 (Kinkyū jitai) - Situação de emergência.
• 緊急時 (Kinkyūji) - During an emergency.
• 危急 (Kikyū) - Critical or urgent situation, usually involving danger.
• 非常 (Hijō) - Unusual or extraordinary, used in an emergency context.
• 急を要する (Kyū o yōsuru) - That requires speed or urgency.
• 緊急の (Kinkyū no) - Urgent, related to an emergency.
• 一刻を争う (Ikkoku o arasou) - What cannot wait may happen in a critical moment.
• 緊急の場合 (Kinkyū no baai) - Em caso de emergência.
• 緊急の事態 (Kinkyū no jitai) - Situação de emergência.
• 緊急事態に対処する (Kinkyū jitai ni taisho suru) - Respond to an emergency situation.
• 緊急性が高い (Kinkyūsei ga takai) - High degree of urgency.
• 緊急措置 (Kinkyū sōchi) - Emergency measures.
• 緊急対応 (Kinkyū taiō) - Emergency response.
• 緊急避難 (Kinkyū hinan) - Emergency evacuation.
• 緊急輸送 (

  Palavras relacionadas

  非常

  hijyou

  emergência; extraordinário; incomum

  速達

  sokutatsu

  expresso; entrega especial

  至急

  shikyuu

  urgente; pressionando

  早急

  sakyuu

  urgente

  応急

  oukyuu

  emergência