Chinese word

敏捷

Pronunciation

Pinyinmǐn jié

Meaning

  • adjectivequick

Example

他的反应敏捷，很快做出决定。tā de fǎn yìng mǐn jié hěn kuài zuò chū jué dìng

His reaction was quick, and he made a decision right away.

Illustration for 敏捷 (quick)

More examples

他身手敏捷，能轻松完成高难度动作。tā shēn shǒu mǐn jié néng qīng sōng wán chéng gāo nán dù dòng zuò

His movements are nimble, and he can easily perform difficult actions.

Core concept

A mind or body shifts rapidly from noticing something to deciding or making the next move.

Common phrases

  • 反应敏捷fǎn yìng mǐn jié

    quick reaction

  • 身手敏捷shēn shǒu mǐn jié

    nimble movements

Similar words

机敏jī mǐn: Sharp and quick in understanding a situation and dealing with it.
灵活líng huó: Flexible enough to adjust movements or ideas easily when conditions change.
灵敏líng mǐn: Quick to detect slight changes and react to them, especially through the senses or a device.
迅速xùn sù: Happening or finished very quickly.

Definition in Chinese

反应迅速，思维或动作转换快，能够很快做出判断或采取行动。fǎn yìng xùn sù sī wéi huò dòng zuò zhuǎn huàn kuài néng gòu hěn kuài zuò chū pàn duàn huò cái qǔ xíng dòng

Word origin

敏捷 (mǐnjié, "quick and nimble") combines 敏 (mǐn, "sensitive and quick") + 捷 (jié, "swift"), joining sharp perception to rapid action.

Usage tips

  • It is useful when English would separate mental quickness from physical nimbleness, because Chinese can use this adjective for both in one description.

Other meanings

  • nimbleadjective
  • swiftadjective
  • agileadjective

Opposites

  • 迟钝chí dùnsluggishadjective

Related words

  • 敏捷性mǐn jié xìngagilitynoun
  • 敏捷地mǐn jié dìquicklyadverb

Word lists with this word