Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| veloz | /beˈloθ/ /beˈlos/ |
| rápido | /ˈrapido/ |
| célere | /ˈθeleɾe/ /ˈseleɾe/ |
| raudo | /ˈraudo/ |
| presto | /ˈpɾesto/ |
These words are adjectives used to describe something that moves with great speed. While they all share the core meaning of 'fast', 'quick' or 'rapid', they differ in tone and frequency. You may also encounter vencejo to refer to a swift (the bird) or devanadera to refer to a reel.
Which one should you use?
rápido is the most common and everyday way to say 'fast' or 'quick'. In contrast, veloz often implies a higher degree of speed or carries a more poetic tone. célere is a formal or literary term used in technical, legal or highly descriptive contexts.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
veloz serves as a formal alternative to rápido. célere and raudo are much more formal and are used primarily in literature or technical writing.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
veloz is invariable in gender, meaning it stays the same whether it modifies a masculine or feminine noun. However, rápido must agree in both gender and number with the noun it modifies (for example, rápido or rápidos).
How do you pronounce it?
/beˈloθ/
When do people say it?
In colloquial Spanish, you can use the expression Rápido(a) como un rayo to mean 'fast as lightning'.
Did you know?
- The word vencejo refers to the swift bird, but it shares no linguistic root with the adjectives for speed like veloz or rápido.
- The words rápido and raudo are doublets, meaning they both originate from the same Latin word rapidus. While rápido was borrowed later, raudo evolved naturally through Old Spanish.
- The word presto for 'swift' is closely linked to the idea of being 'ready' or 'prepared', implying that speed comes from being poised for action.
Examples in context
- La vida es corta y el tiempo pasa veloz.Life is short and time is swift.This sentence shows the use of veloz to describe the passage of time.Tatoeba #2105505 by lazarus1907, translation #270589 by CK
- El riachuelo no está tan rápido.The stream is not very swift.This sentence shows the use of rápido to describe the speed of a stream.Tatoeba #4286650 by mervert1, translation #325455 by CK
- Por favor, envíeme una respuesta rápida.Please, send me a swift response.
- El equipo de entrega es muy rápido.The delivery team is very swift.
- Mi más sincero agradecimiento por su veloz respuesta.My sincere gratitude for your swift response.
- Déjame una respuesta pronto, por favor.Give me a swift response, please.
- Tomó una decisión rápida.He made a swift decision.
- Actuó con prontitud.He acted swiftly.
- Corrió velozmente hacia la meta.He ran swiftly towards the goal.
- El águila voló rápido a través del cielo.The eagle flew swiftly across the sky.
- La entrega fue muy rápida.The delivery was very swift.
- El coche deportivo es muy veloz.The sports car is very fast.
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are watching a motorcycle race.
- Javier¿Viste qué veloz es ese piloto?Did you see how fast that rider is?
- ElenaSí, es increíblemente veloz en las curvas.Yes, he is incredibly fast in the turns.
- JavierEs un hombre muy valiente.He is a very brave man.
- ElenaLo es, pero necesita mucha práctica.He is, but he needs a lot of practice.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “swift” translations and entries veloz, rápido, célere, raudo, presto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries célere, raudo, rápido, veloz, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
