How to Say “Hurry Up” in Spanish: A Comprehensive Guide

Learning how to say “hurry up” in Spanish is essential for effective communication, whether you’re traveling, working, or simply interacting with Spanish speakers. This phrase is used frequently in daily conversations to encourage someone to move faster or to complete a task more quickly.

Mastering the various ways to express urgency in Spanish will enhance your fluency and allow you to navigate different situations with confidence. This article provides a detailed exploration of the different phrases for “hurry up” in Spanish, their nuances, and how to use them correctly.

This comprehensive guide is perfect for Spanish learners of all levels, from beginners to advanced speakers looking to refine their vocabulary and understanding of idiomatic expressions.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Definition of “Hurry Up” in Spanish
• Structural Breakdown of Key Phrases
• Types and Categories of “Hurry Up” Expressions
  • Informal Expressions
  • Formal Expressions
  • Regional Variations
• Examples of “Hurry Up” in Spanish
  • General Examples
  • Informal Examples
  • Formal Examples
  • Regional Examples
  • Imperative Examples
• Usage Rules for “Hurry Up” Phrases
  • Conjugation Considerations
  • Pronoun Placement
  • Formal vs. Informal Use
  • Contextual Appropriateness
• Common Mistakes When Saying “Hurry Up”
• Practice Exercises
• Advanced Topics: Nuances and Idioms
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Definition of “Hurry Up” in Spanish

The phrase “hurry up” in Spanish encompasses various expressions that convey a sense of urgency, prompting someone to act more quickly or expedite a process. These expressions range from informal commands to more polite suggestions, depending on the context and the relationship between the speakers.

The primary function of these phrases is to accelerate an action or movement. The choice of which phrase to use depends on factors such as the level of familiarity, the social setting, and the desired degree of politeness.

In Spanish, there isn’t a single, direct translation of “hurry up.” Instead, several phrases capture the same meaning, each with its own nuance. For example, “¡Date prisa!” is a common and direct translation, while “¡Apúrate!” is another widely used option, both meaning “make haste.” Other expressions, like “¡Vamos!” (Let’s go!) or “¡Más rápido!” (Faster!), can also indicate a need for speed. Understanding these variations is crucial for effective communication in Spanish-speaking environments.

Structural Breakdown of Key Phrases

The structure of phrases like “hurry up” in Spanish often involves the imperative mood, which is used to give commands or instructions. The imperative form of verbs changes depending on whether you are addressing someone formally (usted) or informally (tú). Reflexive verbs, like apurarse (to hurry), require special attention to pronoun placement. The pronoun is attached to the end of the verb in the affirmative imperative, and placed before the verb in the negative imperative.

Let’s break down some key phrases:

• ¡Date prisa! – This phrase uses the reflexive verb darse (to give oneself) and the noun prisa (haste). The te is attached to the end of da, forming date.
• ¡Apúrate! – This phrase uses the reflexive verb apurarse (to hurry). Similar to date prisa, the te is attached to the end of apúrate.
• ¡Vamos! – This is the imperative form of the verb ir (to go). It’s a versatile phrase that can mean “Let’s go!” or “Hurry up!” depending on the context.
• ¡Más rápido! – This translates directly to “Faster!” and is a straightforward way to urge someone to increase their speed.

Types and Categories of “Hurry Up” Expressions

Expressions for “hurry up” in Spanish can be categorized based on formality and regional usage. Understanding these categories will help you choose the appropriate phrase for different situations.

Informal Expressions

Informal expressions are typically used with friends, family, or people you know well. These phrases are more casual and direct.

Examples of informal expressions include:

• ¡Date prisa!
• ¡Apúrate!
• ¡Mueve el esqueleto! (Move your bones!)
• ¡Ponte las pilas! (Put your batteries on!)

Formal Expressions

Formal expressions are used when addressing someone with respect, such as elders, superiors, or people you don’t know well. These phrases are more polite and less direct.

Examples of formal expressions include:

• ¡Dese prisa! (Formal version of date prisa)
• ¡Apúrese! (Formal version of apúrate)
• Por favor, podría apresurarse. (Please, could you hurry up.)

Regional Variations

Spanish is spoken in many countries, and each region has its own unique expressions and dialects. Some phrases for “hurry up” may be more common in certain areas than others.

Examples of regional variations include:

• In Mexico: ¡Órale! (Can sometimes mean “Hurry up!” depending on context)
• In Argentina: ¡Dale! (Similar to vamos, can also mean “Hurry up!”)
• In Spain: ¡Anda! (Can mean “Come on!” or “Hurry up!”)

Examples of “Hurry Up” in Spanish

This section provides a variety of examples to illustrate how to use different “hurry up” phrases in Spanish. These examples are organized by category to help you understand the context in which each phrase is most appropriate.

Each table includes a variety of scenarios, including conversations, commands, and exclamations. The translations are provided to clarify the meaning and usage of each phrase.

General Examples

This table provides general examples of how to use “hurry up” phrases in various contexts.

Here is a table with general examples of “hurry up” phrases in Spanish:

Spanish Phrase	English Translation	Context
¡Date prisa, vamos a llegar tarde!	Hurry up, we’re going to be late!	Urging someone to be quick to avoid being late.
¡Apúrate, el autobús está por salir!	Hurry up, the bus is about to leave!	Encouraging someone to hurry to catch the bus.
¡Vamos, tenemos que irnos!	Come on, we have to leave!	Pressing someone to leave quickly.
¡Más rápido, por favor!	Faster, please!	Asking someone to increase their speed.
¡Dese prisa, señor!	Hurry up, sir!	Formally urging someone to be quick.
¡Apúrese, señora, que ya es hora!	Hurry up, madam, it’s time!	Formally telling someone to hurry because it’s time.
¡Date prisa o te quedarás atrás!	Hurry up or you’ll be left behind!	Warning someone to hurry to avoid being left behind.
¡Apúrate, que la película va a empezar!	Hurry up, the movie is about to start!	Encouraging someone to hurry so they don’t miss the beginning of the movie.
¡Vamos, no tenemos todo el día!	Come on, we don’t have all day!	Implying that time is limited.
¡Más rápido, necesito tu ayuda!	Faster, I need your help!	Asking for someone to hurry because their help is needed.
¡Date prisa, el tren está saliendo!	Hurry up, the train is leaving!	Urging someone to hurry to catch the train.
¡Apúrate, la cena se va a enfriar!	Hurry up, dinner is going to get cold!	Encouraging someone to hurry so their dinner doesn’t get cold.
¡Vamos, que se hace tarde!	Come on, it’s getting late!	Pressing someone to hurry because it’s getting late.
¡Más rápido, necesitamos terminar esto!	Faster, we need to finish this!	Asking someone to increase their speed to complete a task.
¡Dese prisa, que tenemos una reunión!	Hurry up, we have a meeting!	Formally reminding someone to hurry for a meeting.
¡Apúrese, señora, el médico la espera!	Hurry up, madam, the doctor is waiting for you!	Formally urging someone to hurry because the doctor is waiting.
¡Date prisa, o perderemos el avión!	Hurry up, or we’ll miss the plane!	Warning someone to hurry to avoid missing the plane.
¡Apúrate, que todos nos están esperando!	Hurry up, everyone is waiting for us!	Encouraging someone to hurry because others are waiting.
¡Vamos, el tiempo apremia!	Come on, time is of the essence!	Pressing someone to hurry because time is limited.
¡Más rápido, necesitamos llegar a tiempo!	Faster, we need to arrive on time!	Asking someone to increase their speed to arrive on time.
¡Date prisa, la tienda está por cerrar!	Hurry up, the store is about to close!	Urging someone to hurry before the store closes.
¡Apúrate, tenemos que empacar!	Hurry up, we have to pack!	Encouraging someone to hurry because they need to pack.
¡Vamos, hay mucho que hacer!	Come on, there’s a lot to do!	Pressing someone to hurry because there are many tasks.
¡Más rápido, necesito tu opinión!	Faster, I need your opinion!	Asking someone to increase their speed because their opinion is needed.
¡Dese prisa, el evento está comenzando!	Hurry up, the event is starting!	Formally reminding someone to hurry for an event that is starting.
¡Apúrese, señora, el concierto va a empezar!	Hurry up, madam, the concert is about to start!	Formally urging someone to hurry because the concert is about to start.
¡Date prisa, o se nos escapa!	Hurry up, or it will get away!	Warning someone if they don’t hurry they might miss something.
¡Apúrate, que ya casi llegamos!	Hurry up, we’re almost there!	Encouraging someone to hurry because they are close to reaching their goal.
¡Vamos, no te quedes atrás!	Come on, don’t stay behind!	Pressing someone not to be left behind..
¡Más rápido, se nos acaba el tiempo!	Faster, we’re running out of time!	Asking someone to be quicker since they are running out of time.

Informal Examples

This table provides informal examples of how to say “hurry up” in Spanish, suitable for casual conversations with friends and family.

Here is a table with informal examples of “hurry up” phrases in Spanish:

Spanish Phrase	English Translation	Context
¡Date prisa, tío!	Hurry up, dude!	Informally urging a friend to hurry.
¡Apúrate, amiga!	Hurry up, friend!	Informally encouraging a friend to be quick.
¡Mueve el esqueleto, que llegamos tarde!	Move your bones, we’re late!	Playfully telling someone to hurry up.
¡Ponte las pilas, vago!	Put your batteries on, lazy!	Teasingly urging someone to be more energetic and quick.
¡Dale, que nos vamos!	Come on, let’s go!	Informally prompting someone to leave quickly.
¡Anda, espabila!	Come on, wake up! (Hurry up!)	Urging someone to be quicker and more alert.
¡Date vida!	Give yourself life! (Hurry up!)	Encouraging someone to stop wasting time and hurry.
¡No te duermas!	Don’t fall asleep! (Hurry up!)	Telling someone not to be slow or sluggish.
¡A volar!	To fly! (Hurry up!)	Encouraging someone to move quickly.
¡Corre!	Run! (Hurry up!)	Directly telling someone to run and hurry.
¡Despierta!	Wake up! (Hurry up!)	Telling someone to be more alert and quick.
¡Vamos, rápido!	Come on, quickly!	Combining “come on” with “quickly” for emphasis.
¡Ya, ya, espérate… ¡pero apúrate!	Okay, okay, wait… but hurry up!	Acknowledging a delay but still urging speed.
¡Venga, venga, que no hay tiempo!	Come on, come on, there’s no time!	Repeatedly urging someone due to lack of time.
¡Acelera, que esto no se hace solo!	Accelerate, this won’t do itself!	Humorously telling someone to speed up because the task won’t complete itself.
¡No seas tortuga!	Don’t be a turtle!	Telling someone not to be slow.
¡Pisa el acelerador!	Step on the accelerator!	Encouraging someone to speed up, often literally in a car.
¡Mueve ese trasero!	Move that butt!	A very informal and playful way to tell someone to hurry.
¡Despabila, que la vida es corta!	Wake up, life is short!	Encouraging someone to hurry and make the most of life.
¡Vamos, que te echo una carrera!	Come on, I’ll race you!	Challenging someone to hurry with a race.
¡A ver si te espabilas!	Let’s see if you wake up!	Expressing impatience and urging someone to hurry.
¡Despierta, bella durmiente!	Wake up, sleeping beauty!	Playfully telling someone to wake up and hurry.
¡Mueve las patitas!	Move your little feet!	A cute and informal way to tell someone to hurry.
¡Ponte en marcha!	Get going!	Encouraging someone to start moving quickly.
¡Espabila, que te quedas atrás!	Wake up, or you’ll be left behind!	Warning someone that they will be left behind if they don’t hurry.
¡Dale caña!	Give it cane! (Step on it!)	Encouraging someone to go faster or work harder.
¡No te enredes!	Don’t get tangled up! (Don’t dawdle!)	Telling someone not to waste time.
¡A darle!	Let’s give it! (Let’s go!)	Encouraging action and speed.
¡Mueve el bote!	Move the boat! (Get a move on!)	Informally telling someone to hurry.
¡A todo gas!	At full throttle!	Encouraging maximum speed.

Formal Examples

This table provides formal examples of how to say “hurry up” in Spanish, suitable for professional or respectful settings.

Here is a table with formal examples of “hurry up” phrases in Spanish:

Spanish Phrase	English Translation	Context
¡Dese prisa, por favor!	Hurry up, please!	Politely urging someone to be quick.
¡Apúrese, señor/señora!	Hurry up, sir/madam!	Formally encouraging someone to hurry.
Por favor, podría apresurarse.	Please, could you hurry up.	A polite request for someone to expedite their actions.
Le agradecería que se diera prisa.	I would appreciate it if you could hurry.	A formal expression of needing someone to be quick.
Sería conveniente que se apresurara.	It would be convenient if you hurried.	Suggesting that it would be beneficial for someone to hurry.
¿Podría darse prisa, si es tan amable?	Could you hurry, if you would be so kind?	A very polite way of asking someone to hurry.
Le ruego que se apresure.	I beg you to hurry.	A formal and somewhat urgent request for speed.
Es importante que se dé prisa.	It is important that you hurry.	Emphasizing the importance of being quick.
Necesitamos que se apresure para cumplir con el plazo.	We need you to hurry to meet the deadline.	Stating the need for speed to meet a deadline.
Le insto a que se dé prisa.	I urge you to hurry.	A formal urging for someone to be quick.
Por favor, no demore más.	Please, do not delay any longer.	Politely asking someone not to delay.
Agradeceríamos su pronta acción.	We would appreciate your prompt action.	Expressing appreciation for quick action.
Se requiere su pronta respuesta.	Your prompt response is required.	Stating that a quick response is necessary.
Es urgente que se apresure.	It is urgent that you hurry.	Emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
Por favor, haga lo posible por apresurarse.	Please, do your best to hurry.	Asking someone to make an effort to be quick.
Le solicito que se dé prisa.	I request that you hurry.	A formal request for speed.
¿Sería tan amable de acelerar el proceso?	Would you be so kind as to speed up the process?	A very polite request to expedite a process.
Por favor, proceda con celeridad.	Please, proceed with speed.	A formal instruction to proceed quickly.
Le pido que se dé prisa en cuanto sea posible.	I ask you to hurry as soon as possible.	Requesting someone to hurry at their earliest convenience.
Su pronta colaboración es esencial.	Your prompt collaboration is essential.	Emphasizing the importance of quick collaboration.
Le animo a que se apresure.	I encourage you to hurry.	Formally encouraging someone to be quick.
Es de suma importancia que se dé prisa.	It is of utmost importance that you hurry.	Emphasizing the critical importance of being quick.
Por favor, actúe con rapidez.	Please, act quickly.	A formal instruction to act quickly.
Le sugiero que se apresure.	I suggest that you hurry.	A polite suggestion to be quick.
Le rogaría que priorizara esta tarea.	I would beg you to prioritize this task.	A formal request to prioritize a task.
Por favor, no pierda tiempo valioso.	Please, do not waste valuable time.	Politely asking someone not to waste time.
Su diligencia es muy apreciada.	Your diligence is greatly appreciated.	Expressing appreciation for someone’s diligence.
Por favor, sea lo más rápido posible.	Please, be as quick as possible.	Asking someone to be as quick as they can.
Le exhorto a que se dé prisa.	I urge you to hurry.	A formal and strong encouragement to hurry.
Por favor, agilice el proceso.	Please, expedite the process.	A formal instruction to expedite a process.

Regional Examples

This table provides examples of regional variations of “hurry up” phrases in Spanish.

Here is a table with regional examples of “hurry up” phrases in Spanish:

Region	Spanish Phrase	English Translation	Context
Mexico	¡Órale, ándale!	Come on, hurry up!	Commonly used to urge someone to hurry.
Argentina	¡Dale, che!	Come on, dude!	Informal way to prompt someone to hurry.
Spain	¡Venga, vamos!	Come on, let’s go!	Used to encourage someone to hurry and move.
Colombia	¡Pilera!	Hurry up!	A colloquial term for hurrying.
Venezuela	¡Avísale!	Tell him/her! (Hurry up!)	Used to imply that someone needs to be told to hurry.
Chile	¡Apúrate, po!	Hurry up, dude!	Adding “po” for emphasis in Chilean Spanish.
Peru	¡Al toque!	Right away! (Hurry up!)	Implies doing something immediately.
Ecuador	¡Lanza!	Throw! (Hurry up!)	Used to encourage quick action.
Guatemala	¡De una vez!	At once! (Hurry up!)	Implies doing something without delay.
Cuba	¡Asere, apúrate!	Dude, hurry up!	Using “Asere” (dude) to informally urge someone.
Dominican Republic	¡Vamo’ arriba!	Let’s go up! (Let’s go!)	Used to encourage action and speed.
Puerto Rico	¡Ay, bendito, apúrate!	Oh, bless me, hurry up!	Expressing urgency with a touch of exasperation.
Uruguay	¡Vamos arriba!	Let’s go up! (Let’s go!)	Encouraging action and speed, similar to Dominican Republic.
Bolivia	¡Ahorita mismo!	Right now! (Hurry up!)	Implies doing something immediately.
Paraguay	¡Kachiãi!	Hurry up! (Guaraní)	Using a Guaraní term to urge someone to hurry.
Honduras	¡Ligue!	Hurry up!	A colloquial term for hurrying.
El Salvador	¡Púchica, apúrate!	Damn, hurry up!	Expressing urgency with a touch of frustration.
Nicaragua	¡De toque!	Right away! (Hurry up!)	Implies doing something immediately, similar to Peru.
Panama	¡Corre, que se va el bus!	Run, the bus is leaving!	Highlighting the need to hurry to catch the bus.
Costa Rica	¡Dele viaje!	Give it a trip! (Hurry up!)	Encouraging someone to move quickly.
Spain (Andalusia)	¡Ea, venga!	Come on, come on!	A regional variation of “venga” for encouragement.
Spain (Canary Islands)	¡Arreando!	Hurry up!	A regional term for hurrying.
Spain (Galicia)	¡Va, anda!	Go, come on!	A combination of “va” and “anda” for encouragement.
Spain (Basque Country)	¡Azkar!	Quickly!	Using a Basque term to urge someone to hurry.
Spain (Catalonia)	¡Vinga, va!	Come on, go!	A combination of “vinga” and “va” for encouragement.
Spain (Valencia)	¡Au, va!	Come on, go!	A regional variation for encouragement.
Spain (Murcia)	¡A la llana!	At the plain! (Hurry up!)	A regional expression for hurrying.
Spain (Aragon)	¡A escape!	At escape! (Hurry up!)	A regional expression for hurrying.
Spain (Asturias)	¡Venga, ho!	Come on, come on!	A regional variation of “venga” for encouragement.
Spain (Extremadura)	¡A dilación!	At delay! (Hurry up!)	A regional expression for hurrying.

Imperative Examples

This table provides examples of “hurry up” phrases using the imperative mood, which is used to give direct commands or instructions.

Here is a table with imperative examples of “hurry up” phrases in Spanish:

Spanish Phrase	English Translation	Context
¡Date prisa! (tú form)	Hurry up! (informal)	Giving a direct command to someone you know well.
¡Dese prisa! (usted form)	Hurry up! (formal)	Giving a respectful command to someone you don’t know well.
¡Apúrate! (tú form)	Hurry up! (informal)	Another direct command to someone you know well.
¡Apúrese! (usted form)	Hurry up! (formal)	Another respectful command to someone you don’t know well.
¡Vamos! (nosotros form)	Let’s go! (Hurry up!)	Encouraging a group to hurry.
¡Corred! (vosotros form – Spain)	Run! (Hurry up!)

Usage Rules for “Hurry Up” Phrases

To use “hurry up” phrases correctly in Spanish, it’s important to understand the grammatical rules and contextual nuances that govern their usage. These rules include conjugation considerations, pronoun placement, formality levels, and contextual appropriateness.

Conjugation Considerations

When using imperative forms, ensure that the verb is correctly conjugated based on the person you are addressing (tú, usted, vosotros, etc.). The imperative conjugation varies depending on the verb and the pronoun.

Pronoun Placement

In affirmative imperative commands with reflexive verbs, the reflexive pronoun is attached to the end of the verb. In negative commands, the pronoun precedes the verb.

Formal vs. Informal Use

Choose the appropriate phrase based on the level of formality required by the situation. Use formal expressions with people you don’t know well or those in positions of authority, and informal expressions with friends and family.

Contextual Appropriateness

Consider the context in which you are using the phrase. Some expressions may be more appropriate in certain situations than others.

For example, using a playful or humorous expression might not be suitable in a serious or professional setting.

Common Mistakes When Saying “Hurry Up”

Spanish learners often make common mistakes when using “hurry up” phrases. Being aware of these pitfalls can help you avoid errors and improve your fluency.

Here are some frequent mistakes:

• Incorrect Conjugation: Using the wrong verb form or pronoun can change the meaning or make the phrase grammatically incorrect.

  Mistake: ¡Date prisa usted!
  Correct: ¡Dese prisa!

• Inappropriate Formality: Using an informal phrase in a formal setting, or vice versa, can be disrespectful or awkward.

  Mistake: ¡Apúrate, Señor!
  Correct: ¡Apúrese, Señor!

• Misunderstanding Regional Variations: Using a phrase that is specific to one region in another region where it’s not commonly used can lead to confusion.

  Mistake: Using ¡Órale! in Spain, where it’s not typically used.
  Correct: Using ¡Vamos! or ¡Venga! in Spain.

• Incorrect Pronoun Placement: Placing the reflexive pronoun in the wrong position can make the phrase sound unnatural or incorrect.

  Mistake: ¡No te apuras!
  Correct: ¡No te apures!

• Direct Translation Errors: Trying to directly translate “hurry up” from English can result in awkward or nonsensical phrases.

  Mistake: Directly translating “hurry up” as ¡Apurar arriba!
  Correct: Using idiomatic expressions like ¡Apúrate! or ¡Date prisa!

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of “hurry up” phrases in Spanish with these practice exercises. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate phrase, paying attention to formality and context.

Advanced Topics: Nuances and Idioms

Beyond the basic phrases, Spanish offers a variety of nuanced and idiomatic expressions to convey urgency. These expressions often carry cultural connotations and can add depth to your communication.

• Ponerse las pilas (To put on batteries): This idiom means to energize oneself or get ready to act quickly. It’s similar to “putting your thinking cap on” or “getting your act together.”
• Mover el esqueleto (To move the skeleton): This playful phrase is used to tell someone to get moving or dance. It lightens the mood while still conveying a sense of urgency.
• Acelerar el paso (To accelerate the step): This expression is a more formal way of asking someone to increase their pace, often used in professional settings.
• No perder el tiempo (Not to waste time): While not a direct translation of “hurry up,” this phrase emphasizes the importance of acting quickly and efficiently.
• Ir a toda velocidad (To go at full speed): This expression means to do something as quickly as possible, highlighting the intensity of the action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Mastering the art of saying “hurry up” in Spanish involves understanding a variety of phrases, their grammatical structures, and their appropriate contexts. From informal expressions like ¡Date prisa! to formal requests like Por favor, podría apresurarse, the options are abundant. By practicing these phrases and being mindful of the nuances of formality and regional variations, you can communicate urgency effectively and enhance your fluency in Spanish. Remember to consider the situation, your relationship with the person you are addressing, and the cultural norms of the region to ensure your message is well-received. With consistent practice and attention to detail, you’ll be well-equipped to encourage speed and efficiency in any Spanish-speaking environment.