Chinese Conversation · Level 4
88 words
Chinese word
快
Pronunciation
Pinyinkuài
Meaning
- adjectivefast
Example
这辆车开得很快。zhè liàng chē kāi de hěn kuài
This car goes very fast.
More examples
他跑得很快。tā pǎo de hěn kuài
He runs very fast.
Core concept
A movement, action, or change that uses very little time, extending naturally to something due to happen right away.
Common phrases
开得快kāi de kuài
go fast
跑得快pǎo de kuài
run fast
很快hěn kuài
very fast
Similar words
慢màn: Having a low speed, so movement, action, or change takes a long time.
Definition in Chinese
表示速度大或用时短，形容动作、移动或变化发生得快，也可作副词表示马上、立刻。biǎo shì sù dù dà huò yòng shí duǎn xíng róng dòng zuò yí dòng huò biàn huà fā shēng de kuài yě kě zuò fù cí biǎo shì mǎ shàng lì kè
Word origin
快 (kuài, "fast") is a sound-and-meaning character: 忄 (xīn, "heart") marks the meaning side and 夬 (guài, "decisive") supplies the sound, while the word has established senses for speed and immediacy.
Usage tips
- Before an action word, this term can show that the action should start without delay, while English often uses a time phrase instead of a speed adjective.