rapide
/ʁa.pid/
The French word for quick is rapide.
rapide is an adjective used to describe something moving with speed.
Meaning: moving with speed (adj)
Which one should you use?
rapide is an adjective used to describe a noun, such as a quick car. In contrast, vite is an adverb used to describe an action, such as driving quickly.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective rapide is invariable in gender, so it has the same form for both masculine and feminine nouns. To make the adjective plural, add an 's' to the end to form rapides. While rapide is the adjective, the adverbial form is rapidement.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and is pronounced /ʁa.pid/.
Did you know?
- The English word 'rapid' and the French rapide share the same Latin ancestor, rapidus, which describes something snatching or seizing.
- In French, 'rapide' can also be used as a noun to describe a 'rapid' in a river, such as 'un rapide'.
- Even though 'rapide' is an adjective, in very informal spoken French, you might hear people use 'vite' as an adjective, such as 'C'est vite fait'.
Examples in context
- Il est trop rapide.He's too quick.This sentence uses rapide to describe someone's speed.Tatoeba #6861292 by Micsmithel, translation #11866851 by sundown
- Il est vraiment rapide.He's really quick.This sentence uses rapide to emphasize how quick someone is.Tatoeba #1793539 by sacredceltic, translation #1792479 by Spamster
- Elle est rapide en tout.She is quick at everything.This sentence uses rapide to say someone is quick at everything.Tatoeba #862303 by sacredceltic, translation #312819 by CK
- C'est une réponse rapideThis is a quick reply
- J'attends une réponse prompteI'm expecting a prompt response
- Il mène une vie effrénéeHe leads a fast-paced life
- Fais-le vite !Do it quickly!
- J'arrive tout de suiteI'm coming right away
- Faut qu'on y aille veloce !We need to go quickly!
- 51 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Gabriel are watching a race at a stadium.
- ChloéCe coureur est très rapide.This runner is very quick.
- GabrielOui, il est vraiment rapide.Yes, he is really quick.
- ChloéGabriel, tu as vu sa vitesse ?Gabriel, did you see his speed?
- GabrielC'est incroyable, il est si rapide.It's incredible, he is so quick.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “quick” translations and entries rapide, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries rapide, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
