adjective / adverb HSK 4
xùn
rapid · swift · quick · rapidly · quickly

Meaning

迅速 describes something that happens or is done with great speed and efficiency. It emphasizes both the quickness and the smoothness of an action or process, often used in formal or written contexts to describe developments, responses, or movements that occur in a short time.

Usage

迅速 is more formal than 快 (kuài) and is commonly used in news reports, official announcements, and written language. It can modify verbs as an adverb or stand alone as an adjective. Native speakers often use it when emphasizing the impressive speed or efficiency of an action, such as emergency responses, technological advances, or rapid changes.

Examples

  1. 01
    警察迅速赶到了现场。
    Jǐng chá xùn gǎn dào le xiàn chǎng.
    The police quickly arrived at the scene.
  2. 02
    中国经济在过去几十年迅速发展。
    Zhōng guó jīng zài guò shí nián xùn zhǎn.
    China's economy has developed rapidly over the past few decades.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 迅速发展
    xùn zhǎn
    to develop rapidly
  • 迅速反应
    xùn fǎn yìng
    to react quickly
  • 迅速增长
    xùn zēng zhǎng
    to grow rapidly
  • 采取迅速行动
    cǎi xùn xíng dòng
    to take swift action

Antonyms

Origin

Both characters relate to speed: 迅 originally depicted swift movement (with the 辶 radical suggesting motion), while 速 combines 束 (bundle, quick) with 辶 (movement). Together they reinforce the meaning of rapid motion.

Related