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How to Say "fast" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “fast” is “rápido” — use 'rápido' when describing something that moves with great speed, like a vehicle, or when telling someone to hurry..

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rápido

Adjective, AdverbA1, A2General
Use 'rápido' when describing something that moves with great speed, like a vehicle, or when telling someone to hurry.

Examples

El tren es muy rápido.

The train is very fast.

rápidamente

AdverbA1General
Use 'rápidamente' to describe the manner in which an action is performed, emphasizing its quickness.

Examples

El niño se comió el helado rápidamente antes de que se derritiera.

The child quickly ate the ice cream before it melted.

ligero

/li-HEH-roh//liˈxe.ɾo/

AdjectiveB1General
Use 'ligero' to describe someone or something that is quick and agile in movement, often implying grace or nimbleness.
A cheetah running at full speed across a green field, emphasizing quick movement.

Examples

Es un corredor muy ligero; ganó la carrera fácilmente.

He is a very fast runner; he won the race easily.

Necesitamos tomar una decisión ligera sobre esto.

We need to make a quick decision about this.

Adverbial Form

To say something is done 'quickly' or 'lightly' (the adverb), you usually use the feminine form of the adjective plus '-mente': 'ligeramente'.

volando

voh-LAHN-doh/boˈlan.do/

AdverbB1Informal
Use 'volando' informally to emphasize extreme speed or urgency, suggesting something is happening as if by flying.
A stylized brown rabbit running extremely fast across a bright green field, leaving distinct speed lines trailing behind it.

Examples

¡Vente volando! Tenemos que salir ya.

Come quickly! We have to leave now.

Hice el informe volando porque tenía mucha prisa.

I did the report quickly because I was in a big rush.

El repartidor llegó volando con mi pizza.

The delivery person arrived in a flash with my pizza.

adelantado

ah-deh-lahn-TAH-doh/a.ðe.lanˈta.ðo/

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'adelantado' specifically when referring to a clock or watch that is ahead of the correct time.
A smiling beaver stands on a finished dam at sunrise, representing work completed ahead of schedule.

Examples

Mi reloj está cinco minutos adelantado.

My watch is five minutes fast (ahead).

Terminamos el trabajo tres días adelantados.

We finished the work three days ahead of schedule.

Es una tecnología muy adelantada para su época.

It is a very advanced technology for its time.

Gender Agreement

Like many Spanish adjectives, 'adelantado' must change its ending to match the thing it describes: 'un reloj adelantado' (masculine) but 'una tecnología adelantada' (feminine).

Mixing up 'Adelantar' and 'Avanzar'

Mistake: “Using 'avanzado' when referring to being ahead of a clock or schedule.”

Correction: Use 'adelantado' specifically for time or schedules: 'Estamos adelantados' (We are ahead of time). 'Avanzado' is better for general progress or complexity.

Adjective vs. Adverb Confusion

Learners often confuse 'rápido' (adjective) with 'rápidamente' (adverb). Remember, 'rápido' describes a noun (e.g., a fast car), while 'rápidamente' describes a verb (e.g., he ran quickly). While 'rápido' can sometimes be used as an adverb, 'rápidamente' is the dedicated adverbial form.

Related Translations

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