rápido
/ˈrapido/
The English phrase 'rapido' is translated into Spanish as rápido.
rápido is used to mean rapido (phrase). While it is an adjective, it is frequently used adverbially to mean 'quickly' in informal speech, similar to how 'fast' functions in English.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective changes based on the gender and number of the noun it describes: use rápida for a feminine noun, rápidos for multiple masculine nouns and rápidas for multiple feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈrapido/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, saying ¡Qué rápido! can be used sarcastically to mock someone who is actually moving very slowly.
- While rápido describes speed, the Spanish word for 'fast' in terms of a person's intelligence is often listo, not rápido.
- Spanish has a specific term rápido for a 'rapid' in a river, which is a noun instead of an adjective in that context.
Examples in context
- ¡Ese carro es veloz!That car is fast!
- Por favor, envíe el documento pronto.Please send the document quickly.
- El tren es muy rápido.The train is very fast.
- Necesito un cambio rápido.I need a quick change.
- Escribe algo rápido, por favor.Write something quickly, please.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are walking to a cafe.
- AlejandroCamina más rápido, María.Walk faster, María.
- María¡No puedo ir tan rápido!I can't go that fast!
- AlejandroEs que tenemos prisa.It's just that we are in a hurry.
- MaríaEstá bien, ya voy.Fine, I'm coming.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry rápido, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
