Which one should you use?
While 서둘러 is an informal way to say hurry up, you can also use 빨리 해 to convey the same meaning casually. If you want to convey urgency more politely, the phrase 빨리 하세요 (do it quickly) is an appropriate alternative.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a polite version, you can use 서둘러요 by adding the suffix –요 to the base form. To be more formal and respectful, use 서두르세요, which means 'please hurry up'. Another formal option is 빨리 하세요, which translates to 'do it quickly'. In contrast, 빨리 해 is the casual way to say 'hurry up' in Korean.
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary form or infinitive of the verb is 서두르다. To change the tone, you can use the polite form 서둘러요 by adding –요 to the base. If you need to give a blunt command, such as in written instructions or when someone in a higher position is speaking to someone lower, use the imperative form 서둘러라.
How do you pronounce it?
seodulleo
Did you know?
- If you are in a massive hurry and need to tell a driver to go faster, you might use the word 밟아, which literally means 'step on' or 'press'. This refers to pressing the accelerator pedal of a car.
- When you want to tell someone to 'hurry up' and get a move on in a very casual way, you might hear '빨리빨리' (ppalli-ppalli). This repetition is a cultural phenomenon that reflects the fast-paced nature of modern Korean society, often called 'ppalli-ppalli culture'.
- When writing text messages to friends, Koreans often shorten 'hurry up' by using consonants only, such as 'ㅃㄹ', which is the shorthand for '빨리'.
Examples in context
- 서둘러, 그렇지 않으면 학교에 지각할 거야.Hurry up, or you'll be late for school.This sentence shows how to use 서둘러 when warning someone they might be late for school.Tatoeba #11106186 by intertime, translation #19662 by Swift
- 서둘러.Hurry up.This sentence is a simple example of using 서둘러.Tatoeba #8363274 by Eunhee, translation #1329 by brauliobezerra
- 서둘러, 비행기 놓치겠어.Hurry up, or you'll miss your plane.This sentence uses 서둘러 to warn someone they might miss their plane.Tatoeba #11105574 by intertime, translation #19674 by Swift
- 서두르세요! 일이 끝나기 전에 제출하셔야 합니다.Hurry up! You need to submit it before the work is finished.
- 빨리 다음 페이지로 넘기세요.Hurry up and turn to the next page.
- 빨리 나와! 기다리고 있어.Hurry up and come out! I've been waiting.
- 서둘러, 배달이 왔어!Hurry up, the delivery is here!
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are walking to a movie theater to catch a film.
- 지훈 Ji-hun민지야, 서둘러, 영화 시작해.Minji-ya, seodulleo, yeonghwa sijakhae.Minji, hurry up, the movie is starting.
- 민지 Min-ji알았어, 지훈아. 지금 가고 있어.Arasseo, Jihoon-a. Jigeum gago isseo.Okay, Jihoon. I'm going now.
- 지훈 Ji-hun조금만 더 서둘러 줘.Jogeumman deo seodulleo jwo.Please hurry up just a little more.
- 민지 Min-ji거의 다 왔어!Geoui da wasseo!I'm almost there!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
