rápidamente
“rápidamente” means “quickly” in Spanish (to do something fast).
quickly, rapidly
Also: swiftly, fast
📝 In Action
El niño se comió el helado rápidamente antes de que se derritiera.
A1The child quickly ate the ice cream before it melted.
Necesitamos responder a su correo electrónico lo más rápidamente posible.
A2We need to respond to their email as quickly as possible.
La tecnología avanza tan rápidamente que es difícil mantenerse al día.
B1Technology advances so rapidly that it is difficult to keep up.
🔀 Commonly Confused With
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: rápidamente
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses the word to describe the action of the verb?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Formed by combining the adjective 'rápida' (feminine form of 'rápido') with the suffix '-mente'. This suffix comes from the Latin word *mens*, meaning 'mind' or 'manner'. Thus, the word literally means 'in a rapid manner'.
First recorded: Medieval Spanish (similar forms dating back to Vulgar Latin)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'rápidamente' and 'deprisa'?
'Rápidamente' focuses on the speed or velocity of the action itself (He drives rapidly). 'Deprisa' (which means 'in a hurry') often focuses more on the urgency or haste of the person performing the action (They left in a hurry). They are often interchangeable, but 'rápidamente' is generally considered more formal.
Can I use 'rápido' instead of 'rápidamente'?
Yes, in everyday spoken Spanish, using 'rápido' as an adverb (e.g., 'Corre rápido') is very common and accepted, especially in Latin America. However, 'rápidamente' is the dictionary-approved, formal adverb and is always the safest choice in academic or professional writing.