быстрый
býstryj[ˈbɨstrɨj]
The Russian word for quick is быстрый (býstryj).
The word быстрый is an adjective used to describe someone or something that moves with speed.
Meaning: moving with speed (adj)
Which one should you use?
While быстрый is the adjective used to describe a noun, быстро is the adverb used to describe how an action is performed. The related adverb живо also means quickly, but it implies a sense of liveliness or briskness, whereas быстро focuses more on pure speed.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, быстрый changes its ending depending on the gender and number of the noun it describes: use быстрая for feminine nouns, быстрое for neuter nouns and быстрые for plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
býstryj
Did you know?
- When describing a 'quick' temper, Russian uses вспыльчивый, which literally means 'flammable' or 'prone to bursting into flame'.
- The Russian word живо, which also means quickly, is derived from the word for 'alive' живой, linking speed with the essence of being living and energetic.
- While быстрый means quick, Russian has a separate word скорый for speed that is used specifically for 'express' services, such as скорый поезд for an express train.
Examples in context
- Мне нужен быстрый ответ.I need a quick answer.This sentence shows how to use быстрый to describe an answer.Tatoeba #13886846 by marafon, translation #13821809 by rul
- Спасибо за быстрый ответ.Thank you for your quick reply.This sentence shows how to use быстрый to describe a reply.Tatoeba #8568763 by marafon, translation #11620833 by CK
- Можно задать быстрый вопрос?Can I ask you a quick question?This sentence shows how to use быстрый to describe a question.Tatoeba #4851885 by venticello, translation #3328485 by CK
- У вас есть быстрый способ отправить это письмо?Do you have a quick way to send this letter?
- Специалисты дали нам быстрые ответы на наши вопросы.The specialists gave us quick answers to our questions.
- Ты можешь сделать это быстро?Can you do this quickly?
- Давай поедем на поезде, это быстро и удобно.Let's take the train, it's quick and convenient.
- Если хочешь прийти на время, беги быстро.If you want to arrive on time, run quickly.
- Они убрались в комнате живенько.They tidied up the room quickly.
- Начни работу, время идет живенько.Start working, time is passing by quickly.
- 29 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ekaterina and Alexander are talking about a new car.
- Екатерина EkaterinaСмотри, какой быстрый автомобиль!Smotri, kak bystryy avtomobil!Look, what a quick car!
- Александр AleksandrДа, он выглядит очень мощным.Da, on vyglyadit ochen moshchnym.Yes, it looks very powerful.
- Екатерина EkaterinaДумаешь, он действительно такой быстрый?Dumaesh, on deystvitelno takoy bystryy?Do you think it's really that quick?
- Александр AleksandrНаверное, он разгоняется мгновенно.Navernoe, on razgonyayetsya mgnovenno.Probably, it accelerates instantly.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry быстрый, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
