apresurarse
/apɾesuɾaɾse/from spelling rules
To hurry in Spanish is apresurarse.
The verb apresurarse means to hurry oneself. In many Spanish-speaking contexts, instead of using the verb apresurarse, people more commonly use the phrase darse prisa to mean "to hurry up".
Meaning: to do things quickly (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the verb apresurar (to hasten/speed up) and the reflexive pronoun se, literally meaning "to hasten oneself".
Which one should you use?
While apresurarse focuses on the action of speeding up, tener prisa is used to describe the state of being in a hurry (literally "to have haste").
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many parts of Latin America, the verb apurarse is used more frequently than apresurarse to mean "to hurry".
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As a reflexive verb, it must be used with reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nos, os, se) to indicate that the subject is the one performing the action of speeding up.
How do you pronounce it?
/apɾesuɾaɾse/
Did you know?
- While apresurarse is formal, many Spanish speakers use the colloquial dale as a command to hurry someone up.
- In some Spanish-speaking contexts, 'apurar' can mean to hurry, but it can also mean to finish or exhaust something, such as 'apurar el vaso' to 'finish the glass'.
- In many Latin American countries, saying '¡Apúrate!' is the standard way to tell someone to hurry, whereas in Spain, this might sound overly aggressive or bossy.
Examples in context
- Tom no necesita apresurarse.Tom doesn't need to hurry.This sentence shows a negative requirement for the verb apresurarse.Tatoeba #1439747 by marcelostockle, translation #1025985 by CK
- Haga el favor de apresurarse, ya llegamos tarde.Please hurry. We're late already.This sentence shows how to use apresurarse to request speed when one is late.Tatoeba #2261562 by cueyayotl, translation #2261561 by _undertoad
- No hace falta apresurarse. Tenemos un montón de tiempo.There's no need to hurry. We have plenty of time.This sentence shows a situation where there is no requirement to use apresurarse.Tatoeba #1214261 by marcelostockle, translation #1096345 by CK
- Por favor, apresúrate. El jefe nos está esperando para la reunión importante.Please hurry. The boss is waiting for us for the important meeting.
- Es necesario darse prisa si queremos llegar al aeropuerto a tiempo.It's necessary to hurry if we want to get to the airport on time.
- Disculpe, tengo mucha prisa. ¿Me podría ayudar a encontrar la salida más cercana?Excuse me, I'm in a hurry. Could you help me find the nearest exit?
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are leaving a party.
- MateoLucía, tenemos que irnos ya.Lucía, we have to leave now.
- LucíaNo hay necesidad de apresurarse, Mateo.There is no need to hurry, Mateo.
- MateoPero el taxi nos espera fuera.But the taxi is waiting for us outside.
- LucíaEstá bien, me apresuraré un poco.Fine, I will hurry a little.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry apresurarse, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
