とても速い
totemo hayai
In Japanese, "so fast" is translated as とても速い (totemo hayai).
とても速い is used to describe something that moves or happens at a very high speed. Other ways to express high speed include 急速 (rapid) and 迅速 (swift).
Which one should you use?
The word 速い used in this phrase refers specifically to speed or velocity. It should not be confused with the word 早い, which refers to being early in time.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that something was so fast in the past tense, change the adjective from hayai to hayakatta, resulting in とても速かった. To use the phrase adverbially to describe an action, such as running so fast, change the final vowel of hayai to ku to get とても速く.
How do you pronounce it?
totemo hayai
Did you know?
- To express that something is moving at an 'extremely' fast speed, Japanese speakers often use the word 爆速 (bakusoku), which literally translates to 'explosion speed'.
- Japanese uses the onomatopoeic word びゅんびゅん (byun byun) to mimic the sound of something moving so fast that it whistles through the air.
- Japanese has a specific word 早口 (hayakuchi) for someone who speaks 'so fast' that they are hard to understand, which is the basis for the popular 'tongue twister' games called 早口言葉.
Examples in context
- 彼はとても速いです。He is so fast.
- この車はとても速い。Kono kuruma wa totemo hayai.This car is so fast.
- 彼の走るスピードはとても速い。Kare no hashiru supiido wa totemo hayai.His running speed is so fast.
- 川の流れがとても速いですね。Kawa no nagare ga totemo hayai desu ne.The river current is so fast, isn't it?
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are watching a professional race.
- 陽葵 Himariあの選手はとても速いですね！Ano senshu wa totemo hayai desu ne!That athlete is so fast!
- 健太 Kenta本当に、陽葵さんの言う通りだ。Hontou ni, Himari-san no iu toori da.Really, it is just as you say, Himari.
- 陽葵 Himari健太さん、見て！追い越したよ！Kenta-san, mite! Oikoshita yo!Kenta, look! He just overtook them!
- 健太 Kentaすごい速さだ。Sugoi hayasa da.That is an amazing speed.
