Inklingo

How to Say "quickly" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “quickly” is “rápido” — use this versatile adverb to generally describe how an action is performed with speed, suitable for most informal and many formal situations.

rápidoA2

Use this versatile adverb to generally describe how an action is performed with speed, suitable for most informal and many formal situations.

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deprisa🔊A1

Use this adverb when you want to emphasize the need for speed because of a time constraint, often implying a bit of urgency.

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pronto🔊A1

This adverb is primarily used to indicate that something will happen in the near future or very soon, rather than describing the speed of an ongoing action.

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rápidamenteA1

This is a direct and formal equivalent of 'quickly', often used to describe a swift action in a more objective or descriptive manner.

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corriendo🔊B1

Use this when the action of 'quickly' literally involves running or implies a very hurried, almost out-of-control pace.

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volando🔊B1

This is an informal and emphatic way to say 'very quickly', often used to urge someone to hurry or to describe something happening with extreme speed.

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English → Spanish

rápido

adverbA2
Use this versatile adverb to generally describe how an action is performed with speed, suitable for most informal and many formal situations.

Examples

¡Ven rápido, por favor!

Come quickly, please!

deprisa

deh-PREE-sahdeˈpɾisa

adverbA1informal
Use this adverb when you want to emphasize the need for speed because of a time constraint, often implying a bit of urgency.
A colorful storybook illustration of a white rabbit running at high speed across a green field, depicted with prominent speed lines trailing behind it.

Examples

¡Vístete deprisa! Vamos a llegar tarde.

Get dressed quickly! We are going to be late.

Ella siempre habla muy deprisa cuando está nerviosa.

She always speaks very fast when she is nervous.

Necesitamos terminar este informe deprisa.

We need to finish this report quickly.

Always the Same

As an adverb, 'deprisa' always stays the same. It does not change based on who is speaking or whether the noun is singular or plural.

Adding an 'a' ending

Mistake: “Hablamos deprisas.”

Correction: Hablamos deprisa. (Adverbs don't take plural endings.)

pronto

PRON-tohˈpɾon.to

adverbA1
This adverb is primarily used to indicate that something will happen in the near future or very soon, rather than describing the speed of an ongoing action.
A small, colorful bird flying at high speed across a bright blue sky towards a distant, welcoming tree.

Examples

Nos vemos pronto.

See you soon.

La cena estará lista pronto.

Dinner will be ready soon.

Termina la tarea pronto para que podamos jugar.

Finish the homework quickly so we can play.

An Adverb That Stays the Same

When 'pronto' means 'soon' or 'quickly', it's an adverb. This means it describes an action and never changes its ending. It's always 'pronto', never 'pronta' or 'prontos'.

Confusing 'Pronto' and 'Temprano'

Mistake: “Quiero despertar pronto mañana.”

Correction: Quiero despertar temprano mañana. (I want to wake up early tomorrow.) 'Pronto' means 'soon', while 'temprano' means 'early' in the sense of time of day.

rápidamente

adverbA1
This is a direct and formal equivalent of 'quickly', often used to describe a swift action in a more objective or descriptive manner.

Examples

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

The child quickly ate the ice cream before it melted.

corriendo

kohr-RYEHN-dohkoˈrjen.do

adverbB1
Use this when the action of 'quickly' literally involves running or implies a very hurried, almost out-of-control pace.
A speedy brown rabbit moving rapidly across a dirt path, indicated by clear horizontal motion lines trailing behind it.

Examples

El mensajero llegó corriendo para entregar el paquete a tiempo.

The messenger arrived quickly (or, running) to deliver the package on time.

Olvidé mi cartera y tuve que volver corriendo.

I forgot my wallet and had to rush back (literally: return running).

Describing the 'How'

When corriendo follows another verb, it tells you how that action was performed—usually indicating speed or urgency. (e.g., habló corriendo = he spoke quickly/rushedly).

volando

voh-LAHN-dohboˈlan.do

adverbB1informal
This is an informal and emphatic way to say 'very quickly', often used to urge someone to hurry or to describe something happening with extreme speed.
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.

Choosing between 'rápido' and 'rápidamente'

Learners often confuse 'rápido' and 'rápidamente'. While both mean 'quickly', 'rápido' is more common in everyday speech and can function as both an adjective and an adverb. 'Rápidamente' is the standard adverbial form and often sounds more formal or precise.

Related Translations

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