What does "Rush hour" mean?

The busiest time of day for traffic and commuting. Peak travel times when everyone is commuting to or from work—typically 7-9am and 5-7pm.

How do you use "Rush hour" in a sentence?

Avoid the rush hour if you can. Stuck in rush hour traffic. The Tube is hell during rush hour.

Rush hour

Slang Term AmericanBritishAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

Meaning: The busiest time of day for traffic and commuting.

交通高峰时段

La hora punta del tráfico.

通勤ラッシュの時間帯

출퇴근 러시아워

Peak travel times when everyone is commuting to or from work—typically 7-9am and 5-7pm.

所有人上下班通勤的高峰时段——通常是早上7-9点和下午5-7点。

Las horas de mayor tráfico cuando todos van o vuelven del trabajo, normalmente de 7 a 9 de la mañana y de 5 a 7 de la tarde.

通勤で最も混み合う時間帯。通常は朝7〜9時と夕方5〜7時。

대부분의 사람들이 출퇴근하는 아침과 저녁의 혼잡한 시간대.

Literal meaning: Hour of rushing

Examples

Avoid the rush hour if you can.
如果可以的话，避开高峰期。
Evita la hora punta si puedes.
できればラッシュアワーを避けて。
가능하면 출퇴근 시간은 피해.
Stuck in rush hour traffic.
堵在高峰期的车流里了。
Atrapado en el tráfico de hora punta.
ラッシュの渋滞にはまった。
출퇴근 시간 교통 체증에 걸렸다.
The Tube is hell during rush hour.
高峰期的地铁简直是地狱。
El metro es un infierno en hora punta.
ラッシュ時の地下鉄は地獄だ。
출퇴근 시간의 지하철은 지옥이다.

Pronunciation

/rʌʃ aʊə/

Usage Guide

Context: commuting, traffic, timing

Tone: neutral, often complaining

✓ Do Say

Rush hour traffic.
高峰期交通
tráfico de hora punta
ラッシュアワーの渋滞
러시아워.
Avoid rush hour.
避开高峰期
evitar la hora punta
ラッシュアワーを避ける
러시아워 교통 체증.
During rush hour.
在高峰期间
durante la hora punta
ラッシュアワーの間
러시아워 동안.

✗ Don't Say

Peak time
「peak time」是另一种说法
«Peak time» es otra expresión
「peak time」は別の表現
전 세계 공통 용어
Busy commuting period
「busy commuting period」太正式
«Busy commuting period» es demasiado formal
「busy commuting period」は堅すぎる
아침과 저녁 피크 시간

Common Mistakes

Usually lasts more than an hour
Universal term in English

Origin & History

From the rush of people hurrying to and from work.

Etymology: American, early 20th century

First recorded: 1898

Cultural Context

Era: Late 19th century to present

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Rush Hour movies; Commuter life

Regional notes: Universal English term.

Variations

Rush hourRush-hourRush hour traffic