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rápidos

RRAH-pee-dohs/ˈra.pi.ðos/

“rápidos” means “fast” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

fast, quick

Also: swift
A cartoon rabbit is running extremely quickly across a green field, indicated by blur lines behind it.

📝 In Action

Los guepardos son animales muy rápidos.

A1

Cheetahs are very fast animals.

Necesitamos métodos más rápidos para resolver este problema.

B1

We need quicker methods to solve this problem.

Ellos son rápidos para aprender cosas nuevas.

A2

They are quick to learn new things.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • veloces (fast, speedy)
  • ágiles (agile, nimble)

Antonyms

  • lentos (slow)

Common Collocations

  • coches rápidos – fast cars
  • movimientos rápidos – quick movements

rapids, whitewater

NounmB1
Mexico
A turbulent section of a river where white water crashes violently over large, smooth gray rocks.

📝 In Action

Hicimos rafting en los rápidos del río Baker.

B1

We went rafting in the rapids of the Baker River.

Cruzar esos rápidos requiere mucha experiencia.

B2

Crossing those rapids requires a lot of experience.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • cascadas (waterfalls)
  • corrientes (currents)

Common Collocations

  • navegar los rápidos – to navigate the rapids
  • clase V de rápidos – Class V rapids (whitewater rating)

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "rápidos" in Spanish:

rapids→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: rápidos

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'rápidos' as a noun?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
rápido(fast (singular)) — Adjective
rápidamente(quickly) — Adverb
rapidez(speed, swiftness) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
pálidosválidos
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes directly from the Latin *rapidus*, meaning 'hasty' or 'swift.' This root gave rise to both the adjective 'fast' and the geographical noun 'rapids' because of the quick movement of the water.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: rápidosItalian: rapidi

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Frequently Asked Questions

If 'rápido' means fast, why is the noun 'rapids' plural?

This is similar to English! When we talk about the section of the river where the water moves fast, we use the plural form 'rapids' (or 'whitewater'). Spanish follows the same pattern, using 'los rápidos' to describe this location.