Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 속도 | sokdo | [sʰo̞k̚t͈o̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 빠르기 | ppareugi | [p͈a̠ɾɯɡi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 속력 | songnyeok |
The term 속도 is the most common way to express speed in everyday conversation, such as when discussing the speed of cars, the internet or the rate of progress. You can use the phrase 이동 속도 to specifically refer to moving speed, 속도를 내다 to say to increase the speed or 속도를 줄이다 to say to decrease the speed. For a colloquial way to say something is extremely fast, you can use 엄청 빠르다.
What does it mean word for word?
빠르기 is a noun derived from the adjective 빠르다 (to be fast), and it literally means the state of being fast.
Which one should you use?
속도 is the standard term used for a general sense of speed or the rate of change in position, such as driving speed. In contrast, 속력 is the specific scientific term used in physics to denote scalar speed (the magnitude of velocity without direction).
How do you pronounce it?
sokdo
Did you know?
- The word 속도 uses the character 도, which is the same character used for 'degrees' in temperature. This connects the concept of speed to the measurement of a specific extent or degree.
- In a physics classroom, you must distinguish between 속도 and 속력. While an English speaker might use 'speed' for both, Korean uses 속력 specifically for scalar speed and 속도 for velocity which includes direction.
- The term 빠르기 is a purely native Korean construction, unlike the Sino-Korean 속도, formed by adding the suffix -기 to the adjective stem of 'to be fast'.
Examples in context
- 일정한 속도로 운전해.Drive at a steady speed.This sentence demonstrates how to use 속도 when discussing driving at a steady pace.Tatoeba #8362095 by Eunhee, translation #5464871 by CK
- 속도가 중요한 것은 시간을 아끼기 위해서 입니다.Speed is important to save time.
- 오늘은 빨리 끝내고 싶어요.I want to finish quickly today.
- 그 자동차는 엄청 빠르다!That car is extremely fast!
- 비행기가 일정한 속도로 날고 있어요.bihaenggiga iljeonghan sokdoro nalgo isseoyo.The airplane is flying at a constant speed.
- 그 차는 속도가 너무 빨라요.geu chaneun sokdoga neomu ppallayo.That car's speed is too fast.
Example conversation
Minji and Dohyun are walking together.
- 민지 Min-ji도현 씨, 걷는 속도가 너무 빨라요.Dohyun ssi, geotneun sokdoga neomu ppallayo.Dohyun, your walking speed is too fast.
- 도현 Do-hyeon정말요? 죄송해요, 민지 씨.jeongmallyo? joesonghaeyo, Minji ssi.Really? I am sorry, Minji.
- 민지 Min-ji천천히 같이 가요.cheoncheonhi gattyi gayo.Let's go slowly together.
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 이제 속도를 맞출게요.ne, ije sokdoreul matchulgeyo.Yes, I will match the speed now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “speed” translations and entries 속도, 빠르기, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 빠르기, 속도, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
