急忙

• Pinyin: jí máng
• Hanzi breakdown: 急 = 刍 (top, phonetic) + 心 (heart) — an anxious heart; 忙 = 忄 (heart) + 亡 (lost) — a heart that is lost in busyness

Meaning

Hurriedly; hastily; in a rush. Describes doing something quickly due to urgency.

Emphasizes the speed and urgency of an action, often because of unexpected circumstances or time pressure. Similar to 赶紧 and 连忙, but 急忙 stresses the anxious haste. Placed before the verb as an adverb. Common patterns include 急忙跑过去 (hurriedly ran over) and 急忙解释 (hastily explained).

Examples

1. 听到消息后，他急忙赶到了医院。 After hearing the news, he hurriedly rushed to the hospital.
2. 她急忙穿上外套就出门了。 She hastily put on her coat and went out the door.
3. 老师来了，学生们急忙回到自己的座位上。 The teacher arrived, and the students hurriedly returned to their seats.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, narrative, urgent situations

Tone: urgent

Do Say

• 他急忙打电话给妈妈。(He hurriedly called his mom.)
• 下雨了，大家急忙跑进屋里。(It started raining, and everyone hurriedly ran inside.)

Don't Say

• 我每天急忙去上班 (Don't use 急忙 for routine daily actions — it implies an unexpected urgency, not a regular commute)

Origin & History

急 (urgent, anxious) + 忙 (busy, hurried) — urgent and busy, hence acting in a hurry.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal