飲み込みが早い人
nomikomi ga hayai hito
The English phrase "quick learner" is translated into Japanese as 飲み込みが早い人 (nomikomi ga hayai hito).
You can also use the phrase 飲み込みが早い (nomikomi ga hayai) as an adjective phrase to describe the quality of grasping things quickly without necessarily adding 人 (person) at the end.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 飲み込みが早い人, the particle が is used to mark 飲み込み (comprehension) as the subject that is 早い (fast).
How do you pronounce it?
nomikomi ga hayai hito
Did you know?
- The concept of 'grasping' information in English uses a hand metaphor, whereas Japanese uses the throat metaphor of 'swallowing'.
- In a business setting, calling someone 飲み込みが早い is a high compliment, but using it to a superior might sound overly evaluative. It is safer to describe their teaching style as 'easy to understand' instead.
- Japanese uses a similar 'swallowing' metaphor for accepting a difficult reality or a harsh truth, using the phrase 飲み込む to describe the act of internalizing a shock.
Examples in context
- 彼女は飲み込みが早い人なので、教えやすいです。Kanojo wa nomikomi ga hayai hito na no de, oshie yasui desu.Since she is a quick learner, she is easy to teach.
- あの新人は本当に飲み込みが早い人ですね。Ano shinjin wa hontou ni nomikomi ga hayai hito desu ne.That new employee is truly a quick learner.
Example conversation
At an office, a senior employee is talking to a colleague about a new intern.
- 健太 Kenta新しいインターンの田中さんはどうですか？Atarashii intaan no Tanaka-san wa dou desu ka?How is the new intern, Tanaka-san?
- 結衣 Yui彼はとても飲み込みが早い人ですよ。Kare wa totemo nomikomi ga hayai hito desu yo.He is a very quick learner.
- 健太 Kentaそれは心強いですね。Sore wa kokorozuyoi desu ne.That is encouraging to hear.
- 結衣 Yuiすぐに戦力になると思います。Sugu ni senryoku ni naru to omoimasu.I think he will become an asset very soon.
