Japanese word

すばしっこい

Pronunciation

Romajisubashikkoi

Meaning

  • i-adjectivenimble

Example

猫はすばしっこいです。neko wa su ba shi kko i de su

The cat is nimble.

Illustration for すばしっこい (nimble)

More examples

狭い路地でも、彼はすばしっこく動けます。sema i ro ji de mo kare wa su ba shi kko ku ugo ke ma su

Even in narrow alleys, he can move nimbly.

Core concept

Refers to the ability to move with speed, lightness, and agility.

Common phrases

  • すばしっこい動きsu ba shi kko i ugo ki

    nimble movement

  • すばしっこい身のこなしsu ba shi kko i mi no ko na shi

    nimble movements

  • すばしっこく逃げるsu ba shi kko ku ni ge ru

    escape nimbly

Similar words

素早いsubayai: Moving or acting quickly, often with little delay.
速いhayai: Moving at high speed or taking little time.

Definition in Japanese

動作が速く、身を軽やかに動かすさま。dō sa ga haya ku mi o karo ya ka ni ugo ka su sa ma

Word origin

The native Japanese adjective すばしっこい (subashikkoi) comes from すばしこい (subashikoi), meaning quick and deft, with っ (sokuon) inserted to strengthen the sound.

Usage tips

  • English speakers encounter nimble in phrases such as nimble fingers and nimble mind, but すばしっこい (subashikkoi) is mainly used for quick physical movement.

Opposites

Related words

  • すばしっこさsubashikkosanimblenessnoun

Word lists with this word