Entry
そそくさ
sosokusa
そそくさ describes doing something hurriedly or hastily, often with the intention of leaving quickly or finishing a task without lingering.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word illustrates the action of packing up, finishing a task, or leaving a place in a rushed manner. It implies a desire not to waste time, or sometimes a wish to escape an awkward situation promptly.
- Leaving a place hastily
- Rushing through a task to finish quickly
Sense Map
Leaving Hastily
Departing a location quickly, often because one has other things to do or feels awkward staying.
そそくさと帰る
Finishing Tasks Quickly
Performing actions like packing or eating in a rushed way to be done with them.
そそくさと準備する
Usage Note
How to Use
そそくさと + Verb
The standard way to use this word as an adverb, describing the hasty manner in which the following verb is performed.
そそくさする
Used as a 'suru' verb to mean acting hurriedly, though it is less common than the adverbial form.
How to Use
Common Phrases
そそくさと帰る
go home hurriedly
そそくさと立ち去る
leave hastily
そそくさと準備する
prepare in a hurry
そそくさと席を立つ
hurriedly leave one's seat
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Escaping an awkward atmosphere | neutral | Perfect for describing someone who wants to leave an uncomfortable situation as fast as possible. |
| Packing up to leave work | neutral | Focuses on the eagerness to finish up and go home without dawdling. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
あたふた あたふた / similar | When someone is panicking, flustered, and scrambling to deal with an unexpected event. | あたふた implies mental confusion and panic, whereas そそくさ is just doing something hastily to leave or finish, without the panic. | あたふたする |
さっさと さっさと / similar | When doing something quickly and promptly without hesitation. Often used in commands. | さっさと can be used to order someone (e.g., 'Do it quickly!'), while そそくさ describes the observational behavior of being hasty or avoidant. | さっさと片付ける |
ゆっくり ゆっくり / opposite | When doing something slowly, leisurely, and without haste. | This is the exact opposite of the rushed nature of そそくさ. | ゆっくり休む |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to describe the speed of a vehicle.
そそくさ is strictly for human behavior and movements (like leaving or packing up), not for describing physical speed like a fast car.
Using it to tell someone to hurry up.
You cannot command someone with そそくさ. Use さっさと (sassato) or 早く (hayaku) to tell someone to be quick.
Examples
Examples
彼は時計を見ると、そそくさと帰っていった。
かれはとけいをみると、そそくさとかえっていった。
Looking at his watch, he hurriedly went home.
LiteralA basic example of someone hastily leaving a location.
会議が終わると、彼女はそそくさと席を立った。
かいぎがおわると、かのじょはそそくさとせきをたった。
When the meeting ended, she hurriedly left her seat.
LiteralDescribes someone who wants to leave immediately once a task is done.
気まずい雰囲気から逃れるように、そそくさと店を出た。
きまずいふんいきからのれるように、そそくさとみせをでた。
I hurriedly left the shop as if to escape the awkward atmosphere.
FigurativeShows usage driven by a psychological urge to avoid an uncomfortable situation.
時間がないので、そそくさと食事を済ませた。
じかんがないので、そそくさとしょくじをすませた。
Because I had no time, I hurriedly finished my meal.
LiteralUsed for finishing an action quickly, rather than just leaving a place.
失敗を隠すように、そそくさと道具を片付けた。
しっぱいをかくすように、そそくさとどうぐをかたづけた。
Hastily packed up the tools as if to hide the mistake.
VisualFocuses on how someone packs things away quickly to avoid being seen.
Similar Words
あたふた
atafuta
Describes acting in a rushed, panicked, and disorganized manner due to being caught off guard. More focused on mental panic and confusion.
さっさと
sassato
Doing something quickly and without hesitation or delay. Quick action without hesitation, often used for commands.
ゆっくり
yukkuri
ゆっくり describes taking one's time, moving without haste, or being in a state of comfortable relaxation. The opposite, meaning to do something slowly or leisurely.
Questions
Does そそくさ imply panicking?
No. It simply means being hasty or in a rush, usually to leave or finish. For panicking, use あたふた (atafuta).
Can I say 'そそくさ走る' (run sosokusa)?
It is not very natural. そそくさ pairs best with verbs related to leaving (帰る, 立ち去る) or preparing (準備する, 片付ける) rather than just moving fast.
Is it rude to describe someone as leaving 'sosokusa'?
Not inherently rude, but it suggests they were eager to get away. Depending on the context, it might imply they were being slightly dismissive or avoidant.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2056010
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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