Meaning and Usage
"急に" (きゅうに) means "suddenly" or "abruptly" and is used to describe actions or events that happen without warning or unexpectedly. It often appears in everyday conversation to express surprise or a quick change in situation.
Common Collocations
- 急に雨が降る: it suddenly rains
- 急に話をやめる: suddenly stop talking
- 急に忙しくなる: suddenly become busy
These collocations show how "急に" modifies verbs to emphasize the unexpectedness or immediacy of an action.
Register and Nuance
"急に" is neutral in formality and can be used in both casual and polite contexts. It conveys a sense of immediacy and surprise but does not imply any judgment or emotion by itself.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "急に" with "突然" (とつぜん), which also means "suddenly." While they are often interchangeable, "突然" can sound a bit more formal or literary, whereas "急に" is more common in spoken language. Use "急に" for everyday conversation to sound natural.