velocemente
The Italian word for "quickly" is velocemente.
velocemente is an adverb used to describe actions performed with high speed or velocity. While it refers to the rate of motion, it should not be confused with time-based concepts like being early or soon. If you want to describe doing something because you are in a rush, you might use the common idiomatic phrase in fretta instead.
Meaning: rapidly, fast (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The adverb velocemente is formed from the adjective veloce, meaning "fast", by adding the suffix -mente, which is the Italian equivalent of the English suffix "-ly".
Which one should you use?
velocemente describes the speed of an action, whereas presto refers to something happening early or soon in time. Additionally, if you are performing an action in a rush, the phrase in fretta (meaning "in a hurry") is a common alternative.
How does it change in a sentence?
While velocemente is the grammatically standard adverb, the adjective veloce often functions as an adverb in casual conversation.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use velocemente to mean "early" or "soon". For those time-based meanings, use presto.
Did you know?
- Using velocemente to describe a person's eating habits might imply they are devouring food with mechanical speed rather than just eating a quick meal.
- The adverb velocemente shares the same root as the English word 'velocity', making it an easy cognate to remember.
- While velocemente focuses on the rate of movement, using it to describe a person's behavior can sometimes imply a lack of care or a frantic pace.
Examples in context
- Vado velocemente da Mary.I go quickly to Mary.This sentence shows how to use velocemente to describe moving toward someone quickly.Tatoeba #1710831 by Guybrush88, translation #1097953 by cntrational
- Mi sono annoiato velocemente.I got bored quickly.This sentence uses velocemente to describe the speed at which a feeling was experienced.Tatoeba #9121432 by Bethanielle, translation #6033421 by CK
- Mangiai velocemente il pranzo.I quickly ate lunch.This sentence uses velocemente to describe the speed of eating a meal.Tatoeba #1246458 by Guybrush88, translation #433484 by CK
- Devo finire questo lavoro velocementeI need to finish this work quickly
- Mi scuso, devo andare in frettaI apologize, I must go quickly
- Dovremo risolvere questo problema in poco tempoWe will have to resolve this issue quickly
- Vieni subito!Come quickly!
- Ho finito quella pizza in un baleno!I finished that pizza quickly!
- Agisci velocementeAct quickly
- Facciamo tutto in frettaLet's do everything quickly
- 55 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara and Alessandro are preparing to leave the house.
- ChiaraDobbiamo uscire velocemente, siamo in ritardo!We have to leave quickly, we are late!
- AlessandroAspetta, prendo solo le chiavi.Wait, I'm just grabbing the keys.
- ChiaraSbrigati, Alessandro!Hurry up, Alessandro!
- AlessandroVa bene, sto arrivando.Alright, I'm coming.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries velocemente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
