緊急

きんきゅう

urgent, pressing, emergency

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"緊急" (きんきゅう) means "urgent" or "emergency." It is used to describe situations or matters that require immediate attention or action. This word is common in formal and official contexts, such as announcements, warnings, or instructions.

Common Collocations

  • 緊急連絡 (きんきゅうれんらく): urgent contact or message, used when immediate communication is necessary.
  • 緊急事態 (きんきゅうじたい): emergency situation, often used in government or disaster contexts.
  • 緊急停止 (きんきゅうていし): emergency stop, commonly seen on machinery or vehicles.

Usage Notes

When using "緊急," the speaker implies that the matter cannot be delayed and requires prompt response. It is often paired with nouns related to communication, situations, or actions. Avoid confusing "緊急" with less urgent terms like "急" (きゅう), which means "quick" but not necessarily "emergency."

Example Sentences

きんきゅうのれんらくがはいりましたので、すぐにたいおうしてください。

An urgent message has come in, so please respond immediately.

きんきゅうじたいせんげんがはつれいされました。

A state of emergency has been declared.

きんきゅうていしボタンをおしてください。

Please press the emergency stop button.