匆遽 (cōng jù) is a literary, two-character adjective meaning 'hurried' or 'abrupt' — conveying a sense of urgency mixed with fluster or lack of preparation. The first character 匆 (cōng) means 'hastily' and often appears in words like 匆忙 (cōngmáng, 'in a rush'); the second character 遽 (jù) intensifies this meaning, adding connotations of suddenness and alarm, as in 遽然 (jùrán, 'suddenly, abruptly'). Together, they form a compact, elevated expression rarely used in casual speech but common in formal writing, classical allusions, and descriptive prose.

This word emphasizes emotional agitation alongside speed — not just moving fast, but doing so with anxiety, confusion, or under pressure. It frequently modifies verbs (e.g., 匆遽离去, 'depart hastily') or functions predicatively (e.g., 他神色匆遽, 'His expression was flustered'). Because of its literary register, it’s more likely to appear in essays, historical narratives, or refined dialogue than in everyday conversation or spoken Mandarin.