urgent / urgently
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urgent
Describes something that must be dealt with immediately and cannot be postponed; urgent, pressing.
Das ist ein dringender Fall, der Patient muss sofort operiert werden.
This is an urgent case; the patient must be operated on immediately.
The adjective 'dringend' (urgent) is derived from the verb 'dringen', which means 'to press' or 'to push/urge'. Something that is 'dringend' therefore pushes for haste and is pressing.
Ich habe eine dringende Frage an Sie.
I have an urgent question for you.
'Dringend' can be an adjective that describes a noun or an adverb that modifies a verb. As an adjective, it is declined (e.g. 'ein dringender Termin' — an urgent appointment). As an adverb, it remains unchanged (e.g. 'ich brauche dringend Hilfe' — I urgently need help).
Das war eine dringende Warnung.
That was an urgent warning.
As an adjective, 'dringend' often describes nouns related to communication or emergencies. Common combinations are 'ein dringender Anruf' (an urgent call), 'eine dringende Nachricht' (an urgent message), or 'ein dringender Verdacht' (a strong suspicion).
Er musste wegen eines dringenden Familienfalls sofort nach Hause.
He had to go home immediately because of an urgent family emergency.
As an adverb, 'dringend' often intensifies verbs of needing, searching, or asking. Typical phrases are 'dringend brauchen' (to urgently need), 'dringend suchen' (to urgently look for), or 'jemanden dringend um etwas bitten' (to urgently ask someone for something).
Für unser Projekt suchen wir dringend einen Programmierer.
We are urgently looking for a programmer for our project.
important
'wichtig' and 'dringend' are easily confused because both occur with tasks, problems, or messages. 'wichtig' means that something has great importance. 'dringend' means that something must be done quickly or immediately. Something can be important but not urgent, for example long-term planning. It can also be urgent because there is little time left. If you are talking about importance, use 'wichtig'. If you are talking about time pressure, 'dringend' fits.
Vor dem Termin musste Lisa noch dringend ihren Computer reparieren lassen.
Before the appointment, Lisa urgently had to get her computer repaired.
Regelmäßige Pausen sind für die Gesundheit wichtig.
Regular breaks are important for your health.