# 急に: suddenly; all at once > Learn how to use 急に, a JLPT N4 Japanese grammar point meaning suddenly; all at once, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons. JLPT level: N4 · Updated: 2026-05-17 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n4-kyuu-ni/ **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 **急に** and **突然** 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. ## Learning path for 急に Use **急に** as part of your **JLPT N4** state, continuity, material, and nominalizing grammar toolkit. Look at the state that continues around **急に**: an unchanged condition, a background action, a sensory impression, a material source, or a nominalized event. Then compare it with patterns that mark time or change. A good review order is: first make one short sentence with **急に**, then compare it with [のに](/blog/n4-noni-purpose/), and finally add [まま](/blog/n4-mama/) or [ながら](/blog/n4-nagara/) to see how the nuance changes. For practice, write one sentence that uses **急に** in its most literal meaning, one sentence that changes the subject or time expression, and one sentence that contrasts it with one of the related patterns below. ## Related grammar to review next - [のに](/blog/n4-noni-purpose/) — reviews a related way to describe state, continuity, or sentence nominalization. - [まま](/blog/n4-mama/) — reviews a related way to describe state, continuity, or sentence nominalization. - [ながら](/blog/n4-nagara/) — reviews a related way to describe state, continuity, or sentence nominalization. - [ことがある](/blog/n4-koto-ga-aru/) — reviews a related way to describe state, continuity, or sentence nominalization. Browse more lessons here: - [All grammar lessons](/blog/) - [JLPT N4 grammar lessons](/blog/n4/) ## Learn 急に with Hane If you want to review **急に** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions. Browse more lessons here: - [All grammar lessons](/blog/) - [JLPT N4 grammar lessons](/blog/n4/)