سريع
sarīʿ
The English word "quick" can be translated into Arabic as سريع (sarīʿ).
سريع is an adjective used to describe someone or something that moves with speed.
Meaning: moving with speed (adj)
Which one should you use?
Use the adjective سريع to describe a noun, whereas the adverbial forms سَرِيعًا or بِسُرْعَةٍ are used to describe an action.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
sarīʿ
Did you know?
- The concept of 'quickness' in Arabic can be tied to the word خفة (khiffa), which literally means 'lightness', describing someone who moves with quick, light steps.
- In some Arabic-speaking regions, instead of saying 'be quick', people use the expression يلا (yalla), which, while often translated as 'let's go', functions as a common way to urge quickness.
- The phrase على السريع is a common colloquial expression meaning 'on the fly' or 'quickly', often used when grabbing a fast meal or having a short conversation.
Examples in context
- توم قبل ماري قبلة سريعة.Tom gave Mary a quick kiss.This sentence shows how to use the adjective سريع to describe a kiss.Tatoeba #12622101 by Mohammed_Samir, translation #1868321 by CK
- قدّمت ليلى قُبلة سريعة لسامي ثمّ نزلت من الحافلة.Layla gave Sami a quick kiss and got out of the bus.This sentence shows the use of سريع in a narrative context regarding a kiss.Tatoeba #6547781 by OsoHombre, translation #6094703 by OsoHombre
- كان زيري سريعا.Ziri was quick.This sentence demonstrates the use of سريع to describe a person's speed.Tatoeba #10231027 by Amastan, translation #10207437 by Amastan
- الجواب السريعThe quick response
Example conversation
Ahmed and Sarah are talking about a new car.
- أحمد Ahmedانظر إلى هذه السيارة، إنها سريعة جداً.Unzhur ila hadhihi al-sayyara, innaha sari'a jiddan.Look at this car, it is very quick.
- سارة Saraنعم، لكنها غالية الثمن أيضاً.Na'am, lakinnaha ghaliyat al-thaman aydan.Yes, but it is expensive too.
- أحمد Ahmedأريد سيارة سريعة للسفر.Urid sayyara sari'a lil-safar.I want a quick car for traveling.
- سارة Saraيمكنك البحث عن واحدة مستعملة.Yumkinuka al-bahth 'an wahida musta'mala.You can look for a used one.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
