Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| rápido | /ˈʁa.pi.du/ (Brazil) /ˈʁa.pi.du/ (Rio de Janeiro) |
| ligeiro | /liˈʒe(j).ɾu/ (Brazil) /liˈʒɐj.ɾu/ (Portugal) |
| veloz | /veˈlɔ(j)s/ (Brazil) /veˈlɔ(j)ʃ/ (Rio de Janeiro) |
| célere | /ˈsɛ.le.ɾi/ (Brazil) /ˈsɛ.lɨ.ɾɨ/ (Portugal) |
The primary way to express the idea of moving with speed is through the adjective rápido. It is often used adverbially to mean 'quickly', such as in the phrase ir rápido (to go quickly) or comer rápido (to eat quickly). Note that the noun sabugo refers to sensitive flesh.
Which one should you use?
While rápido is the most common way to say quick, veloz is often used to describe high velocity or extreme speed. The word ligeiro can mean quick in terms of speed, but it also carries the connotation of being light on one's feet or nimble. Additionally, ligeiro and veloz can both be used to translate 'fast' into Portuguese.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
rápido is an informal option. For formal, professional, legal or highly literary contexts, you may use célere to mean swift or prompt. In European Portuguese, celeremente is used as an alternative to rápido in formal contexts.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective rápido must agree in gender with the noun it modifies, changing to rápida for feminine nouns. It also takes the plural form rápidos when modifying masculine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
rápido is pronounced /ˈʁa.pi.du/. It has three syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The word rápido is a learned borrowing from the Latin rapidus, which comes from the root rapiō meaning 'to seize' or 'to snatch'.
Examples in context
- Venha aqui e rápido!Get over here and be quick about it!This sentence shows how to use rápido to mean 'be quick about it'.Tatoeba #3394774 by Ricardo14, translation #61461 by CM
- Eu sou muito rápido.I'm very quick.This sentence is an example of using rápido to say 'I'm very quick'.Tatoeba #6177166 by carlosalberto, translation #2248307 by CK
- Deve ter sido rápido.It must've been quick.This sentence uses rápido to express that something 'must've been quick'.Tatoeba #5055605 by hiroy, translation #3178585 by CK
- Consiga uma solução rápida para o problema.Get a quick solution to the problem.
- Trate essa questão de forma célere.Deal with this matter swiftly.
- Vamos comer algo rápido antes do cinema.Let's grab a quick bite before the cinema.
- Seja ligeiro e pegue um lugar na fila.Be quick and get a spot in the line.
- 40 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Beatriz and Felipe are walking in a park.
- BeatrizO Felipe é muito rápido caminhando!Felipe walks very quickly!
- FelipeEu só estou com um pouco de pressa.I am just in a bit of a hurry.
- BeatrizEspere por mim, você é rápido demais.Wait for me, you are too quick.
- FelipeTudo bem, eu diminuo o passo.Alright, I will slow down my pace.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “quick” translations and entries rápido, ligeiro, veloz, célere, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries célere, ligeiro, rápido, veloz, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
