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

Knowing how to say “hurry up” in French is essential for effective communication, whether you’re navigating a bustling Parisian market or coordinating plans with French-speaking friends. This phrase is versatile and can be used in various contexts, from casual to urgent.

Understanding the nuances of different expressions will allow you to convey the right level of urgency and politeness. This article provides a comprehensive guide to mastering the art of saying “hurry up” in French, suitable for learners of all levels, from beginners to advanced students seeking to refine their language skills.

This guide is designed to equip you with the vocabulary, grammar, and cultural understanding necessary to use these expressions confidently and appropriately. We’ll explore different phrases, their specific meanings, and how to use them in various situations.

By the end of this article, you’ll be able to choose the perfect expression to convey urgency in any French-speaking environment.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Definition and Context
3. Structural Breakdown
4. Variations of “Hurry Up” in French
   • Dépêche-toi / Dépêchez-vous
   • Se Presser
   • Aller Vite
   • Faire Vite
   • Bouger!
   • Other Expressions
5. Examples
6. Usage Rules
7. Common Mistakes
8. Practice Exercises
9. Advanced Topics
10. FAQ
11. Conclusion

Definition and Context

The phrase “hurry up” in English conveys a sense of urgency, prompting someone to act more quickly. In French, there isn’t a single direct translation, but rather a variety of expressions that capture different nuances of this meaning.

The choice of expression depends on the context, the relationship between the speakers, and the level of urgency you want to convey.

Understanding these nuances is crucial for effective communication. Using the wrong expression can sound impolite or even rude.

Therefore, it’s essential to grasp the subtle differences between the various ways to say “hurry up” in French. This section will delve into the most common and useful expressions, providing context and examples to illustrate their appropriate usage.

The expressions can be broadly classified based on their level of formality and the specific action they imply. Some phrases are more suitable for informal settings, while others are more appropriate for formal situations.

Furthermore, some expressions focus on the speed of movement, while others emphasize the completion of a task. The key is to choose the expression that best fits the situation and your relationship with the person you’re addressing.

Structural Breakdown

Many of the French expressions for “hurry up” involve reflexive verbs, which require a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nous, vous, se). The structure of these sentences can vary depending on the tense and mood. Understanding the basic structure will help you form and use these expressions correctly.

For example, the expression “Dépêche-toi” is formed from the reflexive verb “se dépêcher” (to hurry). In the imperative mood, the reflexive pronoun “te” (for “tu”) is placed after the verb and connected with a hyphen. For the formal “vous” form, it becomes “Dépêchez-vous.”

Other expressions, such as “Aller vite” or “Faire vite,” use the infinitive form of the verbs “aller” (to go) and “faire” (to do) respectively, combined with the adverb “vite” (quickly). These expressions are often used in conjunction with other verbs to specify the action that needs to be done quickly. For example, “Il faut faire vite” means “It’s necessary to do it quickly.”

Let’s break down the common structures:

• Reflexive Verb + Reflexive Pronoun (Imperative): Dépêche-toi, Dépêchez-vous
• Infinitive Verb + Adverb: Aller vite, Faire vite
• Imperative Verb: Bouge! (Move!)

Variations of “Hurry Up” in French

There are several ways to say “hurry up” in French, each with its own specific context and nuance. Here’s a breakdown of the most common expressions:

Dépêche-toi / Dépêchez-vous

“Dépêche-toi” (informal) and “Dépêchez-vous” (formal) are the most direct translations of “hurry up.” They are derived from the reflexive verb “se dépêcher,” meaning “to hurry.”

“Dépêche-toi” is used with friends, family, and people you know well. It’s a casual and direct way to tell someone to hurry.

“Dépêchez-vous” is used with people you don’t know well, in formal settings, or with older people. It’s a more polite and respectful way to tell someone to hurry.

Se Presser

“Se presser” is another reflexive verb that means “to hurry” or “to be in a hurry.” You can use it in a similar way to “se dépêcher,” but it often implies a sense of being rushed or under pressure.

Examples:

• “Il faut que je me presse.” (I need to hurry.)
• “Presse-toi un peu!” (Hurry up a little!)
• “Nous devons nous presser si nous voulons arriver à l’heure.” (We need to hurry if we want to arrive on time.)

Aller Vite

“Aller vite” literally means “to go quickly.” It’s a more general way to say “hurry up,” implying that someone needs to move faster. It is often used in contexts where physical movement is involved.

Examples:

• “Il faut aller vite!” (We need to go quickly!)
• “Allez plus vite!” (Go faster!)
• “Si tu veux attraper le train, il faut aller vite.” (If you want to catch the train, you need to go quickly.)

Faire Vite

“Faire vite” means “to do quickly.” It’s used when you want someone to complete a task or action faster. It’s more focused on the speed of completing something rather than physical movement.

Examples:

• “Fais vite, s’il te plaît.” (Do it quickly, please.)
• “Il faut faire vite pour finir ce travail.” (We need to do it quickly to finish this work.)
• “Faites vite, le film va commencer.” (Hurry up, the movie is going to start.)

Bouger!

“Bouger!” simply means “Move!” or “Get a move on!” It’s an informal and direct way to tell someone to hurry, often used in situations where you want to emphasize the need for immediate action.

Examples:

• “Bouge-toi!” (Move it!)
• “Bouge, on va être en retard!” (Move, we’re going to be late!)

Other Expressions

Here are some other, less common but still useful, expressions for “hurry up” in French:

• “Plus vite!” (Faster!) – A simple and direct command.
• “À toute vitesse!” (At full speed!) – Emphasizes the need for maximum speed.
• “On se grouille!” (Let’s get a move on!) – An informal expression for a group.
• “Ne traîne pas!” (Don’t dawdle!) – Tells someone not to waste time.

Examples

This section provides a range of examples to illustrate the usage of different expressions for “hurry up” in various contexts. The examples are organized into tables for clarity.

Below is a table showcasing examples of using “Dépêche-toi / Dépêchez-vous” in diverse scenarios. Note the difference in formality depending on whether the “tu” or “vous” form is used.

Context	French Sentence	English Translation
Friend is taking too long to get ready	Dépêche-toi, on va être en retard !	Hurry up, we’re going to be late!
Addressing a group of children	Dépêchez-vous, les enfants, le bus arrive !	Hurry up, kids, the bus is coming!
Talking to a colleague about a deadline	Dépêchez-vous, le rapport est dû pour demain.	Hurry up, the report is due tomorrow.
Telling your sibling to get ready	Dépêche-toi! Maman nous attend.	Hurry up! Mom is waiting for us.
Speaking to your boss about an important task	Dépêchez-vous de finir ça, s’il vous plaît.	Please hurry up and finish that.
At the airport, rushing to the gate	Dépêchez-vous, l’embarquement va bientôt fermer!	Hurry up, boarding will close soon!
Reminding someone of an appointment	Dépêche-toi, tu as rendez-vous chez le médecin!	Hurry up, you have a doctor’s appointment!
Asking a slow-moving person to accelerate	Dépêchez-vous, monsieur, il y a du monde derrière vous.	Hurry up, sir, there are people behind you.
During a game where time is limited	Dépêche-toi de jouer, c’est ton tour!	Hurry up and play, it’s your turn!
Instructing a student to finish their exam	Dépêchez-vous, il ne vous reste que cinq minutes!	Hurry up, you only have five minutes left!
When cooking and time is of the essence	Dépêche-toi de couper les légumes!	Hurry up and chop the vegetables!
When leaving for a trip	Dépêchez-vous de faire vos valises!	Hurry up and pack your bags!
When an important event is about to begin	Dépêche-toi de te préparer pour la cérémonie!	Hurry up and get ready for the ceremony!
When running late for a meeting	Dépêchez-vous, la réunion commence dans 5 minutes.	Hurry up, the meeting starts in 5 minutes.
When there is an emergency	Dépêchez-vous, il y a un incendie!	Hurry up, there’s a fire!
When waiting for someone to get ready for a party	Dépêche-toi, la fête va commencer!	Hurry up, the party is about to start!
When someone is taking too long at the store	Dépêche-toi de choisir, on doit y aller!	Hurry up and choose, we have to go!
When your child is taking too long to eat	Dépêche-toi de manger, sinon tu vas être en retard.	Hurry up and eat, or you’ll be late.
When packing up to leave	Dépêchez-vous de ranger vos affaires!	Hurry up and pack your things!
When you have to catch the train	Dépêchez-vous, sinon on va rater le train!	Hurry up, or we’ll miss the train!

This table provides examples of using “Se Presser” within different contexts. This phrase emphasizes the need to quickly undertake an action due to time constraints or other pressures.

Context	French Sentence	English Translation
Realizing you are late for work	Il faut que je me presse pour arriver à l’heure au travail.	I need to hurry to get to work on time.
Encouraging a friend to speed up their preparations	Presse-toi un peu, le spectacle commence bientôt!	Hurry up a bit, the show starts soon!
When a team needs to accelerate to meet a deadline	Nous devons nous presser si nous voulons finir ce projet à temps.	We need to hurry if we want to finish this project on time.
When you are behind schedule	Je dois me presser pour rattraper le temps perdu.	I need to hurry to make up for lost time.
When you need to beat the traffic	Il faut se presser pour éviter les embouteillages.	We need to hurry to avoid traffic jams.
When you are participating in a race	Je vais me presser pour gagner la course.	I’m going to hurry to win the race.
When you need to complete a task before it closes	Il faut se presser pour aller à la banque avant qu’elle ne ferme.	We need to hurry to go to the bank before it closes.
When you have a limited opportunity to buy something	Presse-toi d’acheter, c’est une offre limitée!	Hurry up and buy, it’s a limited offer!
When you need to catch a flight or a train	Nous devons nous presser pour ne pas rater notre vol.	We need to hurry so we don’t miss our flight.
When you are late for a reservation	Il faut que je me presse pour ne pas perdre ma réservation.	I need to hurry so I don’t lose my reservation.
When you are behind schedule on a project	Il faut que je me presse pour finir ce projet avant la date limite.	I need to hurry to finish this project before the deadline.
When you want to get a good seat at a show	Nous devons nous presser pour avoir de bonnes places au concert.	We need to hurry to get good seats at the concert.
When you’re trying to complete chores before guests arrive	Il faut que je me presse pour finir le ménage avant l’arrivée des invités.	I need to hurry to finish cleaning before the guests arrive.
When you are running late for a meeting	Je dois me presser pour ne pas être en retard à la réunion.	I need to hurry so I’m not late for the meeting.
When you need to quickly finish cooking a meal	Il faut que je me presse pour que le dîner soit prêt à temps.	I need to hurry so dinner is ready on time.
When you’re trying to finish a workout before closing time	Il faut que je me presse pour terminer ma séance d’entraînement avant la fermeture.	I need to hurry to finish my workout before closing time.
When you’re trying to submit an application before the deadline	Je dois me presser pour soumettre ma candidature avant la date limite.	I need to hurry to submit my application before the deadline.
When you’re trying to get to a store before it runs out of something	Il faut que je me presse pour aller au magasin avant qu’il n’y ait plus de pain.	I need to hurry to go to the store before they run out of bread.
When you’re trying to finish reading a book before a book club meeting	Je dois me presser pour terminer ce livre avant la réunion du club de lecture.	I need to hurry to finish this book before the book club meeting.
When you are trying to catch the last bus	Il faut que je me presse pour attraper le dernier bus.	I need to hurry to catch the last bus.

The following table shows how “Aller Vite” can be employed in different situations, emphasizing the importance of moving quickly or increasing one’s speed.

Context	French Sentence	English Translation
During a race, encouraging a teammate	Allez vite, tu peux gagner!	Go fast, you can win!
When needing to catch a train or bus	Il faut aller vite pour ne pas rater le bus.	We need to go fast so we don’t miss the bus.
Asking someone to increase their walking speed	Pouvez-vous aller plus vite, s’il vous plaît?	Can you go faster, please?
When driving and needing to get somewhere quickly	Il faut aller vite si on veut arriver à l’heure.	We need to go fast if we want to arrive on time.
Encouraging someone to walk faster	Allez vite, on est presque arrivés!	Go fast, we’re almost there!
When trying to get to a store before it closes	Il faut aller vite pour que le magasin ne ferme pas.	We need to go fast so the store doesn’t close.
When you are playing a sport and you need to run fast	Allez vite, il faut marquer un but!	Go fast, we need to score a goal!
When trying to escape something	Il faut aller vite pour s’échapper!	We need to go fast to escape!
When you’re running late to a class	Il faut aller vite pour ne pas être en retard en classe.	We need to go fast so we’re not late to class.
When urging someone to pedal faster on a bike	Allez plus vite, tu peux le faire!	Go faster, you can do it!
When you need to quickly find something	Il faut aller vite pour trouver les clés.	We need to go fast to find the keys.
When you’re trying to get to a sale before it ends	Il faut aller vite pour profiter de la vente.	We need to go fast to take advantage of the sale.
When you’re trying to finish a task quickly	Il faut aller vite pour terminer cette tâche.	We need to go fast to finish this task.
When you’re trying to catch up with someone	Il faut aller vite pour les rattraper.	We need to go fast to catch up with them.
When you’re trying to get ahead of the crowd	Il faut aller vite pour être devant.	We need to go fast to be in front.
When you’re trying to avoid the rain	Il faut aller vite pour éviter la pluie.	We need to go fast to avoid the rain.
When you’re trying to get to a meeting on time	Il faut aller vite pour arriver à l’heure à la réunion.	We need to go fast to get to the meeting on time.
When you’re trying to complete a level in a video game	Il faut aller vite pour terminer le niveau.	We need to go fast to finish the level.
When you’re trying to get to an appointment on time	Il faut aller vite pour ne pas rater le rendez-vous.	We need to go fast so we don’t miss the appointment.
When you are trying to get to the beach before sunset	Il faut aller vite pour voir le coucher du soleil à la plage.	We need to go fast to see the sunset at the beach.

Below is a table with examples of how to use “Faire Vite” in various contexts. This expression emphasizes the need to complete an action or task efficiently.

Context	French Sentence	English Translation
Asking someone to complete a task quickly	Fais vite, s’il te plaît, j’ai besoin de ça.	Do it quickly, please, I need that.
When there is a deadline to meet	Il faut faire vite pour finir ce rapport avant demain.	We need to do it quickly to finish this report before tomorrow.
Urging someone to make a decision promptly	Fais vite ton choix, on n’a pas toute la journée.	Make your choice quickly, we don’t have all day.
When cooking and needing to prepare something quickly	Il faut faire vite pour préparer le dîner.	We need to do it quickly to prepare dinner.
Asking someone to respond quickly to a message	Fais vite, réponds au message!	Do it quickly, answer the message!
When needing to clean up before guests arrive	Il faut faire vite pour ranger la maison avant l’arrivée des invités.	We need to do it quickly to tidy up the house before the guests arrive.
When you are trying to buy a limited product	Fais vite pour acheter ça avant que ça ne disparaisse!	Do it quickly to buy that before it disappears!
When you need to complete all your chores before you leave	Il faut faire vite pour finir toutes les corvées avant de partir.	We need to do it quickly to finish all the chores before leaving.
When asking someone to make a payment quickly	Fais vite le paiement, la date limite approche!	Do the payment quickly, the deadline is approaching!
When needing to finish a project	Il faut faire vite pour terminer ce projet.	We need to do it quickly to finish this project.
When you need to pack quickly	Il faut faire vite pour faire les valises.	We need to do it quickly to pack the bags.
When you need to finish a test	Il faut faire vite pour finir le test.	We need to do it quickly to finish the test.
When you’re trying to book a flight	Il faut faire vite pour réserver les billets d’avion.	We need to do it quickly to book the plane tickets.
When you’re trying to get a seat at a restaurant	Il faut faire vite pour avoir une place au restaurant.	We need to do it quickly to get a seat at the restaurant.
When you’re trying to get to a store before it closes	Il faut faire vite pour aller au magasin avant qu’il ne ferme.	We need to do it quickly to go to the store before it closes.
When you’re trying to complete paperwork	Il faut faire vite pour remplir ces papiers.	We need to do it quickly to fill out these papers.
When you’re trying to get through security at the airport	Il faut faire vite pour passer la sécurité à l’aéroport.	We need to do it quickly to get through security at the airport.
When you’re trying to finish a game	Il faut faire vite pour terminer le jeu.	We need to do it quickly to finish the game.
When you’re trying to send an email	Il faut faire vite pour envoyer le courriel.	We need to do it quickly to send the email.
When you are trying to finish your homework	Il faut faire vite pour finir les devoirs.	We need to do it quickly to finish your homework.

Usage Rules

Using the correct expression to say “hurry up” in French depends on the context, your relationship with the person you are addressing, and the level of formality required. Here are some general guidelines:

• Formality: Use “Dépêche-toi” with friends, family, and people you know well. Use “Dépêchez-vous” in formal settings or with people you don’t know well.
• Emphasis: “Bouger!” is a very direct and informal command, use it sparingly and only with people you know well.
• Specificity: Use “Aller vite” when referring to physical movement and “Faire vite” when referring to completing a task.
• Politeness: Adding “s’il te plaît” (please) can soften the command and make it more polite, regardless of the expression you choose.

It’s also important to consider the intonation of your voice. A harsh tone can make even the most polite expression sound rude.

Be mindful of your tone and body language to convey the right message.

Common Mistakes

Here are some common mistakes that learners make when trying to say “hurry up” in French:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
“Dépêche vous”	“Dépêchez-vous”	Missing the hyphen and incorrect conjugation.
“Dépêche-toi vous”	“Dépêche-toi”	Incorrect combination of informal and formal pronouns.
“Aller vite toi”	“Va vite” (if commanding) or “Il faut aller vite”	Incorrect word order and missing auxiliary verb.
“Faire vite toi”	“Fais vite” (if commanding) or “Il faut faire vite”	Incorrect word order and missing auxiliary verb.
“Se dépêcher toi”	“Dépêche-toi”	Incorrect word order and missing imperative form.

Pay attention to the correct conjugation of verbs and the proper placement of reflexive pronouns to avoid these common errors.

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of how to say “hurry up” in French with these practice exercises. Choose the most appropriate expression for each situation.

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “se dépêcher.”

Question	Answer
(Informal) ____, on va manquer le train!	Dépêche-toi
(Formal) ____, monsieur, le magasin va fermer.	Dépêchez-vous
Nous devons ____ si nous voulons arriver à l’heure.	nous dépêcher
(Informal) ____ de finir tes devoirs!	Dépêche-toi
(Formal) ____ de signer ce document, s’il vous plaît.	Dépêchez-vous
Tu dois ____ si tu ne veux pas être en retard.	te dépêcher
(Informal) ____, on n’a pas toute la journée!	Dépêche-toi
(Formal) ____, madame, votre taxi est arrivé.	Dépêchez-vous
Vous devez ____ si vous voulez attraper le bus.	vous dépêcher
(Informal) ____ de te préparer, on sort!	Dépêche-toi

Exercise 2: Translate the following sentences into French using the most appropriate expression for “hurry up.”

English Sentence	French Translation
Hurry up, we’re late! (informal)	Dépêche-toi, on est en retard!
Hurry up, sir, the show is about to start. (formal)	Dépêchez-vous, monsieur, le spectacle va commencer.
We need to hurry to finish this project.	Il faut se dépêcher pour finir ce projet. / Il faut faire vite pour finir ce projet.
Move it! We don’t have time.	Bouge! On n’a pas le temps.
Go faster, please!	Allez plus vite, s’il vous plaît!
Hurry up and eat! (informal)	Dépêche-toi de manger!
Hurry up and pack your bags!	Dépêchez-vous de faire vos valises!
We need to go quickly to the store!	Il faut aller vite au magasin!
Hurry up and choose something! (informal)	Dépêche-toi de choisir quelque chose!
Move, we’re going to miss the train!	Bouge, on va rater le train!

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, it’s helpful to understand the subjunctive mood when expressing urgency. For example, you might say, “Il faut que tu te dépêches” (It is necessary that you hurry). The subjunctive is used after expressions of necessity, obligation, or emotion.

Another advanced topic is the use of more nuanced expressions to convey specific types of urgency. For example, “Mets les bouchées doubles!” (Put in double the effort!) is a more idiomatic way to encourage someone to work harder and faster.

Understanding regional variations can also be beneficial. While the expressions covered in this article are widely used, some regions may have their own unique ways of saying “hurry up.” Listening to native speakers and paying attention to their language will help you expand your vocabulary and understanding.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about saying “hur