Japanese word

急に

Pronunciation

Romajikyūni

Meaning

  • adverbsuddenly

Example

雨が急に降り始めました。ame ga kyū ni fu ri haji me ma shi ta

It suddenly started raining.

Illustration for 急に (suddenly)

More examples

彼は急に話し方を変えました。kare wa kyū ni hana shi kata o ka e ma shi ta

He suddenly changed the way he spoke.

Core concept

Marks an event or action as happening without warning or an expected lead-up.

Common phrases

  • 急に変わるkyū ni ka wa ru

    change suddenly

  • 急に増えるkyū ni fu e ru

    increase suddenly

  • 急に減るkyū ni he ru

    decrease suddenly

Similar words

突然totsuzen: Shows that something happens unexpectedly, without a clear sign beforehand.
いきなりikinari: Shows that an action starts abruptly, often without an expected step or preparation.
不意にfuini: Shows that something happens unexpectedly and catches someone unaware.
突如totsujo: An event or action begins suddenly without prior indication.

Definition in Japanese

物事が予想や前触れなしに突然起こるさま。mono goto ga yo sō ya mae bu re na shi ni totsu zen o ko ru sa ma

Word origin

急に (kyūni) combines 急 (kyū, "sudden" or "urgent") with に (ni), which makes the word function adverbially.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, 急に (kyūni) commonly comes before a verb to describe a sudden change, as in weather or plans.

Opposites

Word lists with this word