焦る

• Reading: あせる
• Romaji: aseru
• Kanji breakdown: 焦 (shō/ase/ko) — scorch, char, be impatient
• Pronunciation: /a.se.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To be in a hurry; to be impatient; to feel anxious or flustered. The internal feeling of panic when pressed for time.

A Group 1 (godan) intransitive verb describing the psychological state of impatience or panic. Unlike 急ぐ which focuses on the physical act of hurrying, 焦る emphasizes the emotional state of anxiety. Very common in spoken Japanese, especially among younger speakers.

Examples

1. 試験時間が残り少なくて焦った。 I panicked when there wasn't much time left in the exam.
2. 焦らずに落ち着いて考えよう。 Let's calm down and think without rushing.
3. 締め切りが近づいて焦っている。 I'm feeling anxious as the deadline approaches.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, exams, work

Tone: anxious

Origin & History

The kanji 焦 contains 火 (fire) at the bottom, evoking the image of something burning or scorching. The sense of being burned by urgency evolved into the meaning of feeling flustered or impatient.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal