How to say "urgency" in Japanese

• 緊急きんきゅうJLPT N1approx.Common
  no-adjective, na-adjectiveThe default word for urgency that demands immediate action, and for an emergency itself; think urgent situations, measures, or requests. If you are unsure which word to use, this is usually it.
  緊急きんきゅうの場合ばあいは、１１９番ばんに電話でんわしなさい。↗

  In case of emergency, call 119.
• 切迫せっぱくCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbUrgency as the pressing, imminent quality of a situation — the tension or pressure you feel as a crisis or deadline closes in, rather than a declared emergency.
  事態じたいはかなり切迫せっぱくしている。↗

  The matter is really pressing.
• 焦眉しょうびCommon
  nounA stiff, literary word for an imminent crisis; for everyday urgency it is seldom the word you want — reach for 緊急 instead.
  さて、犯人はんにんは、告白こくはくするか否いなかが、沈黙ちんもくするＭＬ参加者さんかしゃたちの焦眉しょうびの関心事かんしんじとなる。↗

  Well then, it becomes a matter of urgent concern to the lurkers of this mailing list whether the guilty party confesses or not.

Use 緊急 for the everyday sense of urgency demanding immediate action or an emergency; 切迫 for the pressing, imminent feel of a worsening situation; 焦眉 is a literary word for an imminent crisis, rarely the everyday choice.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 緊急きんきゅうurgency
• 切迫せっぱくpressure
• 焦眉しょうびemergency
• 火急かきゅうurgency
• 急迫きゅうはくurgency
• アージェンシーurgency
• 緊急性きんきゅうせいurgency
• 急切きゅうせつunder pressure
• 緊急度きんきゅうど(degree of) urgency
• 急きゅうurgency