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"A toda prisa" is a phrase which is often translated as "very quickly", and "a la carrera" is a phrase which is often translated as "in a hurry". Learn more about the difference between "a toda prisa" and "a la carrera" below.
a toda prisa(
ah
toh
-
dah
pree
-
sah
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
1. (general)
a. very quickly
No sonó el despertador, así que desayunamos a toda prisa y salimos para el aeropuerto.The alarm didn't go off so we had breakfast very quickly and left for the airport.
b. very fast
Un camión de bomberos avanzaba a toda prisa entre el tráfico.A fire engine was driving very fast through the traffic.
c. as quickly as possible
Por favor, llama a una ambulancia y diles que vengan a toda prisa.Please call an ambulance and tell them to come here as quickly as possible.
d. as fast as possible
La policía pedía a la gente que saliera del edificio a toda prisa.Police were asking people to leave the building as fast as possible.
e. in a hurry
Redactamos las conclusiones del informe a toda prisa, por eso tiene errores.We wrote down the conclusions of the report in a hurry, that's why it has mistakes.
f. hurriedly
Catalina respondió a toda prisa que ella no sabía nada de eso.Catalina replied hurriedly that she didn't know anything about it.
g. in a rush
Terminé mi trabajo a toda prisa. Lo único que tenía en mente era disfrutar de la noche del viernes.I finished my work in a rush. All I had in mind was to enjoy the Friday evening.
a la carrera(
ah
lah
kah
-
rreh
-
rah
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
1. (hastily)
a. in a hurry
Llegaba tarde a la ópera y tuve que vestirme a la carrera.I was late for the opera and had to dress in a hurry.
b. in a rush
¿Dónde está Pedro? - Se marchó a la carrera porque perdía el tren.Where is Pedro? - He left in a rush because he was going to miss the train.
d. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
La primera pregunta del examen era muy larga y tuve que responder a las demás a la carrera.The first question of the exam was very long and I had to rush through the rest.
Cuando llegó el momento de pagar las bebidas, ella se fue a la carrera.When it was time to pay for the drinks, she made a quick getaway.
2. (running)
a. at a run
Los niños tiraron una piedra a la ventana y huyeron a la carrera.The children threw a stone at the window and took off at a run.
a. at full speed
Cuando oyeron llegar a la policía, los ladrones escaparon a la carrera en un vehículo que les estaba esperando.When they heard the police coming, the thieves escaped at full speed in a vehicle that was waiting for them.
