conducir rápido
/konduθiɾ ɾapido/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'drive fast' is translated into Spanish as conducir rápido.
In the phrase conducir rápido, the word rápido functions as an adverb meaning 'fast' or 'quickly'. You can also use conducir a alta velocidad to say 'drive at high speed', or manejar de forma rápida to say 'drive quickly'.
Which one should you use?
Conducir deprisa is a common synonym for conducir rápido and can be used interchangeably in most contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Pisarle a fondo is a colloquial expression widely used in Latin America.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'he/she drives fast', you use the third-person singular form conduce rápido.
How do you pronounce it?
/konduθiɾ ɾapido/
Did you know?
- If you are in a taxi and want the driver to go faster, you might colloquially tell them to meterle pata, which literally means 'to put leg into it'.
- In some regions, the phrase ir volando is used to describe driving fast. It literally means 'to go flying' and describes the sensation of high speed.
- The verb conducir shares the same Latin root as the English word 'conducive', which describes something that leads to a certain result.
Examples in context
- Mi jefe siempre me pide que conduzca rápido para llegar a tiempo a las reuniones.My boss always asks me to drive fast to arrive on time to the meetings.
- Es importante que manejes rápidamente si quieres evitar el tráfico en esta ciudad.It's important to drive fast if you want to avoid traffic in this city.
- Si quieres llegar pronto, deberías ir a gran velocidad en la autopista.If you want to arrive early, you should drive fast on the highway.
- Él siempre pisa a fondo para impresionar a sus amigos.He always drives fast to impress his friends.
- Cuando el semáforo se pone en verde, él va como un rayo por las calles de Madrid.When the traffic light turns green, he drives like lightning through the streets of Madrid.
- No es bueno conducir rápido en la ciudad.It is not good to drive fast in the city.
- Él suele conducir rápido cuando tiene prisa.He tends to drive fast when he is in a hurry.
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are talking about driving safety.
- Mateo¿Por qué te gusta conducir rápido?Why do you like to drive fast?
- ElenaNo me gusta, pero mi hermano prefiere conducir rápido.I don't like it, but my brother prefers to drive fast.
- MateoEs muy peligroso conducir rápido por la carretera.It is very dangerous to drive fast on the highway.
- ElenaTienes razón, Mateo, es mejor ir con cuidado.You are right, Mateo, it is better to go carefully.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries conducir, rápido, CC BY-SA 4.0.
