What does it mean word for word?
The word is formed by the adjective rápido (quick) and the diminutive suffix -ito, which softens the word to imply a small or brief amount of time.
Which one should you use?
While rápido means fast or quick, rapidito is used specifically to emphasize that the action will be very brief or won't take much time.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
rapidito is an informal term. Its diminutive form makes it sound more casual and conversational than the standard adverb rápidamente. For more formal situations, you might use Sin demora, which means "without delay" or "promptly". For a colloquial alternative, you can use En un periquete, meaning "in a jiffy" or "in no time".
How does it change in a sentence?
In this context, the adjective rapidito functions adverbially to describe how an action is performed.
How do you pronounce it?
/rapidito/
Did you know?
- The colloquial alternative En un periquete literally translates to 'in a parakeet', though it is used to mean 'in a jiffy'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, using the diminutive -ito in rapidito is a social tool to minimize the perceived burden of a request, making the favor seem smaller and easier to grant.
- Depending on the tone, adding the suffix -ito to rápido can transform a request for speed into a sarcastic comment about how slow someone is actually being.
Examples in context
- ¿Puedo ir al baño rapidito?Can I go to the bathroom real quick?This sentence shows how to use rapidito when asking for permission to perform an action briefly.Tatoeba #4584790 by cueyayotl, translation #11275611 by Luornu
- Podría hacerlo en poco tiempoI could do it real quick
- Por favor, hágalo sin demoraPlease do it real quick
- Hazlo rápidoDo it real quick
- Vamos al cine rápidoLet's go to the movies real quick
- Termino esto en un periqueteI'll finish this real quick
- Lo arreglo en dos patadasI'll fix it real quick
- Te llamo rápido cuando llegue a casaI'll call you real quick when I get home
- Voy a pasar por el banco rapidito.I'm going to stop by the bank real quick.
- Hazlo rapidito para que no perdamos el tren.Do it real quick so we don't miss the train.
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are at home getting ready to leave.
- Elena¿Ya estás listo para salir, Alejandro?Are you ready to leave yet, Alejandro?
- AlejandroSí, solo me pongo los zapatos rapidito.Yes, I'm just putting my shoes on real quick.
- ElenaDate prisa, que se nos hace tarde.Hurry up, we're getting late.
- AlejandroTranquila, ya casi termino.Relax, I'm almost done.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
