run an errand
يقوم بمهمة
حرفيًا: to move quickly on a short trip for a specific purpose
Use it to describe short, necessary trips for chores without needing to explain every boring detail.
في 15 ثانية
- A short trip to complete a small, necessary task.
- Commonly used for grocery shopping, banking, or post office visits.
- Focuses on the action of going out to get things done.
المعنى
To run an errand means to leave your house or office to do a small, necessary task. It is usually something quick like going to the bank, picking up dry cleaning, or buying milk.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6Leaving the office for a moment
I need to run a quick errand, but I'll be back in twenty minutes.
I need to do a quick task, but I'll be back in twenty minutes.
Texting a friend about being late
Sorry! I'm still running errands, I'll meet you at the cafe soon.
Sorry! I'm still doing chores, I'll meet you at the cafe soon.
Planning the weekend with a partner
Let's run all our errands on Saturday so we can relax on Sunday.
Let's do all our chores on Saturday so we can relax on Sunday.
خلفية ثقافية
The word 'errand' comes from Old English 'ærende', meaning a message or mission. In modern Western culture, 'running errands' is a staple of adult life, often associated with Saturday mornings or lunch breaks. It reflects a lifestyle where services like banking, post, and groceries are scattered, requiring short trips to complete daily maintenance.
The 'Vague' Power
Use this phrase when you want to be polite but don't want to explain exactly where you are going. It sounds professional yet keeps your privacy.
Don't 'Do' Errands
While 'doing errands' is sometimes understood, 'running errands' is the much more natural and common way to say it.
في 15 ثانية
- A short trip to complete a small, necessary task.
- Commonly used for grocery shopping, banking, or post office visits.
- Focuses on the action of going out to get things done.
What It Means
To run an errand is to handle life's little chores. It is not about a big journey. It is about those 15-minute tasks that keep your life moving. Think of it as a quick mission. You go out, do the thing, and come right back. It is the glue that holds a busy schedule together.
How To Use It
You use the verb run with the noun errand. You can do one errand or several errands. It is very flexible. You can say you are going to run an errand or that you have errands to run. It sounds active and productive. It makes your trip to the grocery store sound like a professional mission. Even if you are just buying a candy bar.
When To Use It
Use this when you need to step away from your current location. It is perfect for telling a boss why you are leaving the desk. It works great for telling a friend why you are late. Use it when the specific task is boring. You do not need to say "I am going to pay the electricity bill." Just say "I have an errand to run." It keeps your business private but polite.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for big, fun events. Going to a concert is not an errand. A vacation is definitely not an errand. Also, do not use it for major work projects. If you are building a house, that is not an errand. It should feel small and slightly repetitive. If it takes five hours, it is probably a trip, not an errand. Unless you have a very long list!
Cultural Background
In English-speaking cultures, being busy is often seen as a sign of importance. Saying you have errands to run makes you sound organized. It implies you are a responsible adult taking care of business. Historically, an errand was a message sent from one person to another. Today, the message is usually just a receipt from the pharmacy. It is a very common part of the "suburban" lifestyle.
Common Variations
You will often hear people say they are running around. This means they have many errands in different places. Some people say they are doing chores, but that usually happens inside the house. Running errands always involves leaving your home. If you have a lot to do, you might say you have a mountain of errands. Hopefully, you have a car for that mountain!
ملاحظات الاستخدام
The phrase is neutral and works in 90% of situations. It is slightly more common in American English than British English, but understood everywhere. Avoid using it for high-stakes or very long activities.
The 'Vague' Power
Use this phrase when you want to be polite but don't want to explain exactly where you are going. It sounds professional yet keeps your privacy.
Don't 'Do' Errands
While 'doing errands' is sometimes understood, 'running errands' is the much more natural and common way to say it.
The Saturday Morning Ritual
In the US and UK, 'Saturday morning errands' is a common cultural concept where people do all their life admin at once.
أمثلة
6I need to run a quick errand, but I'll be back in twenty minutes.
I need to do a quick task, but I'll be back in twenty minutes.
A polite way to leave work for a personal task.
Sorry! I'm still running errands, I'll meet you at the cafe soon.
Sorry! I'm still doing chores, I'll meet you at the cafe soon.
Explains a delay without giving too much detail.
Let's run all our errands on Saturday so we can relax on Sunday.
Let's do all our chores on Saturday so we can relax on Sunday.
Used for planning and organization.
Since you're going out, could you run an errand for me at the post office?
Since you're going out, could you do a task for me at the post office?
Asking someone else to do a small task for you.
My Saturday consists of running errands and pretending I'm a functional adult.
My Saturday is just doing chores and acting like a real adult.
Self-deprecating humor about the boredom of chores.
I've been running errands all day and my feet are killing me.
I've been doing tasks all day and my feet hurt a lot.
Expressing exhaustion from a long list of tasks.
اختبر نفسك
Choose the correct verb to complete the phrase.
I have to ___ a few errands before the shops close.
In English, we specifically use the verb `run` with `errands` as a standard collocation.
Identify the most natural use of the phrase.
Which of these is an errand?
An errand is a short, necessary task that involves leaving the house.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality of 'Run an Errand'
Talking to family about daily chores.
I'm out running errands.
Explaining a brief absence to a colleague.
I need to run an errand during lunch.
Rarely used; more specific terms like 'personal business' are used.
I have personal matters to attend to.
When to say you're 'Running Errands'
Bank/ATM
Just a quick stop for cash.
Pharmacy
Picking up a prescription.
Dry Cleaners
Dropping off a suit.
Grocery Store
Grabbing some milk.
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةYou can, but run an errand is much more common. Run implies the speed and efficiency of the task.
Almost. A chore is usually inside the house (like cleaning), while an errand requires you to go somewhere else.
Yes, if the task involves leaving the office, like running an errand to the print shop.
It is better to say I have a personal matter to attend to in very formal emails, but running an errand is fine for most office settings.
Usually, if you have two or more stops to make, you say running errands. If it is just one, say an errand.
No! You can drive, walk, or take the bus. Run just means the act of going and coming back.
Yes, it is a basic B1-level word that every native speaker uses daily.
Yes, parents often ask children to run an errand to a neighbor's house or a nearby shop.
That is an idiom meaning a task that is impossible or a waste of time. It is a very different meaning!
It is always run an errand. You can say go on an errand, but that sounds a bit old-fashioned.
عبارات ذات صلة
Life admin
The small tasks and paperwork needed to manage your life.
Out and about
Being outside the house doing various things.
Pick up some bits
British slang for buying a few small items at a shop.
Tying up loose ends
Finishing small, incomplete tasks.
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