How to say 'Hurry up' (to a group) in Castilian Spanish

Daos prisa

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Local Usage

The Local Way to Say It

¡Venga, daos prisa! is the quintessential Madrileño shout when you need your friends to pick up the pace. It’s warm, direct, and exactly what you’d hear bouncing through the Gran Vía metro station. This isn't formal or stiff; it's the friendly nudge that says, "Let's go, we're going to miss it!" You'll use it with your closest mates, your family, or anyone you're comfortable being informal with. Imagine you’re running late for tapas: "Chicos, daos prisa, ¡que la terraza se llena!" (Guys, hurry up, the terrace is filling up!). Or maybe the metro is arriving: "¡Venga, daos prisa, que se nos escapa el metro!" (Come on, hurry up, the metro's getting away from us!). It perfectly captures that vibrant, always-on-the-go Madrid spirit.
Grammar

The 'Grammar Math'

Let's break down "Daos prisa" into its VengaVale-style 'Grammar Math'. It's all about the imperative form of `darse prisa` for `vosotros` (you all, informal). The base verb is `dar` (to give). For the `vosotros` imperative, `dar` becomes `dad`. But when it's reflexive, like `darse prisa`, the `d` in `dad` drops, and `os` (the reflexive pronoun for `vosotros`) attaches directly, forming `daos`.

The formula is simple:
Vosotros Imperative of `Dar` (without the 'd' if reflexive) + Reflexive Pronoun `os` + `prisa`
So: `Da` + `os` + `prisa` = `Daos prisa`
It’s a command to yourselves, as a group, to give yourselves speed! – practical, right?
Madrid Life

Madrid Context

Picture this: you're with your friends, enjoying a leisurely caña in La Latina after the Rastro market, but you've promised to meet someone in Chueca. Suddenly, you check the time. "¡Uf, daos prisa, que perdemos el metro!" you’d exclaim, urging everyone towards the Tirso de Molina station. Or maybe you're navigating the crowded streets of Malasaña, trying to make it to that trendy new bar before it's too packed. "¡Venga, daos prisa, o no cogemos mesa!" This phrase is your verbal shortcut through Madrid's bustling energy, a common refrain heard from the historic center to the modern barrios, making sure you stay on Madrid time.
Castilian

The Castilian Tip

This is where Castilian Spanish truly shines and trips up many learners! The biggest mistake is using "dense prisa". While grammatically correct, "dense prisa" uses the `ustedes` form, which is formal plural ("you all, formal"). In Madrid, you wouldn't use this with friends; it would sound distant, even a bit strange. "Daos prisa" uses the informal `vosotros` form, which is standard for addressing groups of friends, family, or peers in Spain. It marks you as a true Madrileño speaker! Remember, `vosotros` is key. For a quick pronunciation tip, in fast Madrileño speech, the 's' in `prisa` is often pronounced clearly, but the whole phrase is delivered with a briskness that matches the urgency.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do you say "How to say 'Hurry up' (to a group)" in Castilian Spanish?

In Castilian Spanish (as spoken in Spain), you say Daos prisa. Telling your group of friends to move faster for the metro.

What is the most common mistake learners make with "Daos prisa"?

Using 'dense prisa' (which is the formal Ustedes form). Understanding this distinction is key to sounding natural in Spain.

Is "Daos prisa" used the same way in Spain and Latin America?

While understood across the Spanish-speaking world, Castilian Spanish has its own nuances and pronunciation for this. In Spain, you'll hear subtle differences in delivery and context.