快
fast; quick; soon
kuài
What does 快 mean?
快 (kuài) primarily means 'fast / quick' as an adjective: 他跑得很快 ('he runs very fast'), 这辆车很快 ('this car is fast'). Two extensions are everyday: (1) 'soon / about to' as an adverb signaling imminent time — 快到了 ('almost there'), 快下雨了 ('it's about to rain'), often paired with 了 at the end; (2) 'hurry up!' as an imperative — 快来 ('come quickly'), 快走 ('hurry, let's go'). In speed comparisons it pairs naturally with 慢 (màn, 'slow'): 快 / 慢. As a verb complement it follows 得:
Character breakdown
fast; quick; pleased
Memory hook: Heart radical 忄 + 夬 — a 'decisive heart,' acting quickly. The same 快 is in 快乐 (happy) — being happy is acting freely and quickly with the heart.
Example sentences
他跑得很快。
Tā pǎo de hěn kuài.
He runs very fast.
spoken
快下雨了。
Kuài xià yǔ le.
It's about to rain.
spoken
快点，我们要迟到了。
Kuài diǎn, wǒmen yào chídào le.
Hurry up, we're going to be late.
spoken
这班车很快。
Zhè bān chē hěn kuài.
This train/bus is very fast.
neutral
Common phrases with 快
Synonyms
迅速 is 'rapid / swift' — more formal and written. Use 快 in conversation; use 迅速 in news, reports, and formal writing. 警察迅速到达现场 = 'police rapidly arrived at the scene.'
Don't confuse 快 with
FAQ
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