Spanish word

prisa

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈpɾisa/

Meaning

  • feminine nounrush

Example

No hay prisa.

There is no rush.

Illustration for prisa (rush)

More examples

Tengo prisa porque el tren sale pronto.

I'm in a hurry because the train is leaving soon.

Core concept

Urgent need to act quickly.

Common phrases

  • tener prisa

    be in a hurry

  • sin prisa

    not in a hurry

Similar words

urgencia: Critical situation requiring prompt handling or immediate measures.
apuro: Tight, stressful situation that forces someone to rush or seek help.
precipitación: Hasty behavior marked by panic and shortcuts that risk mistakes.

Definition in Spanish

Necesidad urgente de actuar pronto; estado de apuro que obliga a apresurarse.

Word origin

Derived from Vulgar Latin pressa and ultimately from Latin premere 'to press', where the image of pressing developed into a pressure to move or decide quickly.

Usage tips

  • As an abstract noun prisa normally appears with tener (tener prisa) and not with estar; no hay prisa calms the other person and dar prisa is a common way to make someone hurry.

Opposites

Word lists with this word