B2 adjective Neutral

시급하다

[ɕigɯpʰada]

To be very urgent and require immediate attention or action. It is used to describe problems or tasks that cannot be delayed.

Examples

3 of 5
1

배가 고파서 밥 먹는 게 시급해요.

I'm so hungry, eating is urgent.

2

저출산 문제 해결을 위한 정부의 개입이 시급하다.

Government intervention to solve the low birth rate problem is urgent.

3

지금 장난칠 때가 아니야, 마감이 시급하다고!

Now is not the time to joke around; the deadline is urgent!

Word Family

Adverb
시급히
Adjective
시급하다
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Memory Tip

Think of 'Si' (time) and 'Geup' (urgent/fast)—time is running out fast.

Quick Quiz

사고 현장에서 부상자를 병원으로 옮기는 일이 매우 ____.

Correct!

The correct answer is: 시급하다

Examples

1

배가 고파서 밥 먹는 게 시급해요.

everyday

I'm so hungry, eating is urgent.

2

저출산 문제 해결을 위한 정부의 개입이 시급하다.

academic

Government intervention to solve the low birth rate problem is urgent.

3

지금 장난칠 때가 아니야, 마감이 시급하다고!

informal

Now is not the time to joke around; the deadline is urgent!

4

고객 불만을 처리하는 것이 현재 우리 부서의 가장 시급한 과제입니다.

business

Handling customer complaints is currently our department's most urgent task.

5

재난 지역에 구호 물자를 보내는 일이 무엇보다 시급합니다.

formal

Sending relief supplies to the disaster area is more urgent than anything else.

Word Family

Adverb
시급히
Adjective
시급하다

Common Collocations

해결이 시급하다 solution is urgent
대책이 시급하다 measures are urgently needed
시급한 과제 urgent task/issue
도움이 시급하다 help is urgent
시급히 처리하다 to handle urgently

Common Phrases

시급을 다투다

to be a matter of extreme urgency (racing against time)

Often Confused With

시급하다 vs 긴급하다

긴급하다 is often used for emergencies (like medical or fire), while 시급하다 is used for social issues or tasks that need to be prioritized.

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Usage Notes

Frequently used in the introduction or conclusion of an IELTS essay to emphasize the need for action.

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Common Mistakes

Do not confuse with '시급' (hourly wage).

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Memory Tip

Think of 'Si' (time) and 'Geup' (urgent/fast)—time is running out fast.

📖

Word Origin

From Sino-Korean 時急 (시급), meaning 'time' and 'urgent'.

Grammar Patterns

~이/가 시급하다 ~하는 것이 시급하다

Quick Quiz

사고 현장에서 부상자를 병원으로 옮기는 일이 매우 ____.

Correct!

The correct answer is: 시급하다

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