急に means suddenly; all at once. It is a JLPT N4 Japanese grammar pattern used to describe an action or change that happens without warning.
This grammar point often appears in conversation, written explanations, formal notices, and JLPT-style reading questions. If you want to describe an action or change that happens without warning, 急に is a useful pattern to learn after the N5 basics.
What does 急に mean?
Use 急に when you want to describe an action or change that happens without warning.
Natural translations include:
- suddenly
- abruptly
- suddenly; abruptly
The exact English translation changes with context. Focus on what the grammar point does in the sentence first, then choose the English phrase that sounds natural.
How to form 急に
急に + verb/adjective phrase
Examples of the pattern:
- 急に雨が降る
- 急に寒くなる
- 急に止まる
Pay attention to the word form before the pattern. Many JLPT N4 mistakes happen because the meaning is understood, but the grammar is attached to the wrong form.
When is 急に used?
Use 急に in situations like:
- explaining a condition, reason, decision, or time relationship
- making a sentence more specific than a basic N5 pattern
- understanding natural Japanese in conversation or reading
Tone and register:
- neutral unless the grammar itself is marked as casual, humble, honorific, or formal
- Common in daily speech, textbook examples, and JLPT N4 reading questions
急に example sentences
- 急に雨が降り出しました。 — It suddenly started raining.
- 電車が急に止まりました。 — The train stopped suddenly.
- 急に寒くなりました。 — It suddenly became cold.
- 彼は急に笑い出しました。 — He suddenly started laughing.
- 予定が急に変わりました。 — The plan suddenly changed.
Read the Japanese sentence first, then check the English translation. Try to notice what the grammar point contributes: condition, timing, limitation, possibility, decision, politeness, or emphasis.
Nuance of 急に
The key nuance is adds an abrupt, unexpected feeling.
This matters because 急に may look simple in English, but the Japanese form tells you whether the speaker is describing a time, a condition, a decision, a possibility, or a social relationship.
For example:
- In context, 急に helps make the sentence more precise than a direct English translation.
- Compared with 突然, it has a different focus even when both patterns appear in similar sentences.
急に vs 突然
Both {jp} and {similar} can appear in related sentences, but they are different.
急に:
- is the target JLPT N4 pattern in this lesson
- carries the specific nuance explained above
突然:
- is useful for comparison because learners often mix it up
- may use a different form, tone, or sentence focus
Quick contrast examples:
- Target pattern: 急に雨が降り出しました。 — It suddenly started raining.
- Related pattern with 突然: compare the form and ask whether the sentence is about timing, condition, ability, decision, or politeness.
If you are unsure which one to use, identify the main job of the sentence before translating it into English.
Common mistakes with 急に
Watch out for these mistakes:
- Using it with the wrong verb, noun, or adjective form
- Confusing it with 突然 because the English translation can look similar
- Translating it too literally instead of reading the whole sentence context
A good study habit is to write one short sentence and then change only the grammar point. This makes the difference between similar patterns easier to feel.
Is 急に on the JLPT?
Yes. 急に is commonly taught as JLPT N4 grammar.
That means learners should be able to:
- recognize it in reading
- understand its nuance in context
- use it in simple original sentences
For test preparation, do not only memorize the English gloss. Practice identifying the words around the grammar point, because JLPT questions often test structure and context together.
Practice questions for 急に
Try making your own sentences with these prompts:
- Write one sentence using the basic pattern.
- Change the sentence into polite or casual style if possible.
- Compare it with the related pattern from the comparison section.
Keep the sentences short at first. Once the form feels natural, add time words, places, reasons, or contrast to make the sentence more realistic.
Learn 急に with Kanjiru
If you want to review 急に together with kanji, vocabulary, and other JLPT N4 patterns, Kanjiru helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.
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