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Summary: Learn the meaning and usage of the essential Chinese word 迅速 (xùnsù), which translates to “rapid” or “swift.” This comprehensive guide for beginners explains how `迅速` differs from the more common word `快 (kuài)`, explores its cultural significance in modern China, and provides dozens of practical example sentences. Understand the character breakdown and common mistakes to use this HSK 4 term to describe fast actions and developments with accuracy and nuance.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): xùnsù
Part of Speech: Adjective / Adverb
HSK Level: HSK 4
Concise Definition: To be very fast and prompt, often describing an action, response, or process.
In a Nutshell: `迅速` is a more formal and intense way to say “fast.” While `快 (kuài)` is your go-to for everyday speed (like a fast car or running fast), `迅速` is used to describe the impressive rapidity of a process, a change, or a complex action. Think of it as “swift” or “rapid”—it implies not just speed, but also immediacy and efficiency, often in more serious or significant contexts like news reports, business, or emergency responses.
Character Breakdown
迅 (xùn): This character means “swift” or “fast.” It's composed of the radical `辶 (chuò)`, which relates to walking or movement, and `讯 (xùn)`, a phonetic component that originally meant “to question” or “message.” The combined image evokes the idea of a message traveling with great speed.
速 (sù): This character means “speed” or “velocity.” It also uses the `辶 (chuò)` radical for movement. The other part, `束 (shù)`, means “to bundle.” This combination suggests a movement that is tight, controlled, and direct, hence “speed.”
Together, 迅速 (xùnsù) combines two characters both related to speed and swiftness. This pairing creates a strong, formal, and emphatic compound word that means “rapid” and is more powerful than using either character alone.
Cultural Context and Significance
In modern China, `迅速` is a word deeply connected to the national narrative of progress and development. For decades, the country has prioritized rapid economic growth, technological advancement, and infrastructure projects. The term `迅速` is constantly used in state media and official communications to praise the speed and efficiency of these efforts, embodying the concept of “China Speed” (中国速度, Zhōngguó sùdù).
Comparison: In Western business culture, there's a strong emphasis on “efficiency” and “immediacy.” `迅速` shares this feeling but often on a much larger, more collective scale. While an American manager might praise an employee's “quick turnaround,” a Chinese news report would praise the government's “swift response” (迅速的反应) to a natural disaster or the “rapid development” (迅速的发展) of a new high-tech zone. It often carries a sense of impressive, large-scale, and collective achievement rather than just individual productivity.
Practical Usage in Modern China
Formal & Written Contexts: `迅速` is most at home in formal, written Chinese. You will see it constantly in news articles, business reports, academic papers, and official announcements. It lends a tone of seriousness and competence.
Example: 经济迅速发展 (jīngjì xùnsù fāzhǎn) - The economy is developing rapidly.
Formal Spoken Contexts: In speeches, presentations, or serious discussions, `迅速` is appropriate. It sounds educated and precise.
Example: 我们必须迅速采取行动。(Wǒmen bìxū xùnsù cǎiqǔ xíngdòng.) - We must take action swiftly.
Informal Conversation: It's generally overkill for everyday, casual situations. You wouldn't tell a friend “You eat so swiftly!” (你吃饭很迅速!). You would use `快 (kuài)` instead. However, it can be used to describe a surprisingly fast action even in a casual context if you want to add emphasis.
Example: 他反应很迅速，一下子就抓住了球。(Tā fǎnyìng hěn xùnsù, yīxiàzi jiù zhuāzhù le qiú.) - His reaction was so swift, he caught the ball in an instant.
English: After receiving the order, the soldiers assembled swiftly.
Analysis: This demonstrates formality and discipline. `迅速` is appropriate for military or official commands.
Example 5:
他的中文水平提高得相当迅速。
Pinyin: Tā de Zhōngwén shuǐpíng tígāo de xiāngdāng xùnsù.
English: His Chinese proficiency has improved quite rapidly.
Analysis: This describes the speed of an abstract process (learning). It sounds more impressive than saying `提高得很快`.
Example 6:
面对危机，我们需要一个迅速而有效的解决方案。
Pinyin: Miànduì wēijī, wǒmen xūyào yīgè xùnsù ér yǒuxiào de jiějué fāng'àn.
English: Facing a crisis, we need a swift and effective solution.
Analysis: Here, `迅速` is an adjective modifying “solution.” It shows the need for both speed and effectiveness.
Example 7:
在医生的帮助下，他的身体迅速恢复了健康。
Pinyin: Zài yīshēng de bāngzhù xià, tā de shēntǐ xùnsù huīfù le jiànkāng.
English: With the doctor's help, his health recovered rapidly.
Analysis: This describes the speed of a biological process, like healing.
Example 8:
技术革新迅速改变了我们的生活方式。
Pinyin: Jìshù géxīn xùnsù gǎibiàn le wǒmen de shēnghuó fāngshì.
English: Technological innovation has rapidly changed our way of life.
Analysis: Another example of `迅速` describing a large-scale, societal change.
Example 9:
网上购物的流行趋势正在迅速增长。
Pinyin: Wǎngshàng gòuwù de liúxíng qūshì zhèngzài xùnsù zēngzhǎng.
English: The trend of online shopping is growing rapidly.
Analysis: Used here to describe the rate of growth of a trend. Common in business and marketing contexts.
Example 10:
请迅速回复此邮件。
Pinyin: Qǐng xùnsù huífù cǐ yóujiàn.
English: Please reply to this email swiftly.
Analysis: A formal and polite but firm way to ask for a quick response in a professional setting.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
The `迅速 (xùnsù)` vs. `快 (kuài)` Mistake: This is the most common pitfall for learners.
`快 (kuài)` is the general, all-purpose word for “fast.” Use it for simple physical speed, the passage of time, and in casual commands.
`迅速 (xùnsù)` is for the speed of actions, processes, and developments, usually in more formal or serious contexts. It describes the *manner* in which something happens.
Examples of incorrect usage:
`*` Incorrect: 这辆车开得很迅速。 (Zhè liàng chē kāi de hěn xùnsù.)
`*` Why it's wrong: You are describing the simple velocity of an object. The natural, correct word is `快 (kuài)`.
`*` Correct: 这辆车开得很快。 (Zhè liàng chē kāi de hěn kuài.)
`*` Incorrect: 你快迅速一点儿！(Nǐ kuài xùnsù yīdiǎnr!)
`*` Why it's wrong: This is a casual command (“Hurry up!”). `迅速` is too formal and sounds unnatural here.
`*` Correct: 你快一点儿！(Nǐ kuài yīdiǎnr!)
Related Terms and Concepts
`快 (kuài)` - The common, everyday word for “fast.” `迅速` is its more formal and intense synonym.
`快速 (kuàisù)` - Fast, high-speed. Very similar to `迅速` and often interchangeable, though `快速` can sometimes focus more on the “high-speed” quality itself, while `迅速` emphasizes the promptness of the action.
`高速 (gāosù)` - High-speed. Specifically used for infrastructure and technology that operates at a high velocity, like `高速公路` (highway) or `高速铁路` (high-speed rail).
`立即 (lìjí)` - Immediately, at once. This adverb emphasizes that an action starts with zero delay.
`马上 (mǎshàng)` - Immediately, right away. A more colloquial and common version of `立即`.
`效率 (xiàolǜ)` - Efficiency. A `迅速` action often leads to high `效率`.
`反应 (fǎnyìng)` - Reaction, response. A noun often modified by `迅速`, as in `迅速的反应` (a swift reaction).
`发展 (fāzhǎn)` - Development, to develop. Another key noun frequently paired with `迅速`.