sùdù: 速度 - Speed, Velocity

• Keywords: sùdù, sudu, 速度, Chinese word for speed, speed in Chinese, velocity in Chinese, sudu meaning, what does sudu mean, rate in Chinese, China speed
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word for “speed” and “velocity,” 速度 (sùdù). This guide breaks down its meaning, from describing the speed of a car or your internet connection to understanding the powerful cultural concept of “China Speed” (中国速度). Discover how to use 速度 correctly in everyday conversation with 10 practical example sentences, and avoid common mistakes by learning the difference between 速度 (sùdù), 快 (kuài), and 快速 (kuàisù).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): sùdù
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: The rate at which someone or something is able to move or operate.
• In a Nutshell: 速度 (sùdù) is the direct and universal word for “speed” in Chinese. It's a straightforward, technical term used in any context where you would say “speed” or “velocity” in English—from physics and driving to the speed of your internet connection or how quickly a task is completed. Unlike some Chinese words, 速度 is not deeply philosophical; it is a practical, measurable concept.

• 速 (sù): This character means “fast,” “quick,” or “rapid.” It's composed of the 辶 (chuò) radical, which signifies movement or walking, and 束 (shù), which originally meant to tie or bundle. Together, you can imagine something moving so fast it's like a tightly bundled package zipping along.
• 度 (dù): This character means “degree,” “measure,” or “extent.” It is used in many words related to measurement, like 温度 (wēndù - temperature) and 角度 (jiǎodù - angle).
• When combined, 速度 (sùdù) literally translates to the “measure of fastness” or “degree of quickness”—a perfect and logical construction for the concept of speed.

While 速度 is a scientific term, the concept it represents has immense cultural significance in modern China, primarily through the phrase 中国速度 (Zhōngguó sùdù) - “China Speed.” “China Speed” refers to the astonishingly rapid pace of infrastructure development, urbanization, and economic growth that China has experienced over the past few decades. It encapsulates the ability to build massive projects—like skyscrapers, extensive high-speed rail networks, and entire cities—in record time. This is a significant source of national pride and a key element of China's modern narrative. To a Western observer, this concept might be compared to the spirit of the Industrial Revolution or the post-war economic boom, but on a compressed and monumental scale. Where the American concept of “progress” is often tied to individual ambition and pioneering spirit, “China Speed” is overwhelmingly a collective, state-driven achievement. It reflects a societal value placed on efficiency, ambition, and national rejuvenation. However, the term can also carry a hint of caution, as it sometimes implies a trade-off between speed and quality, leading to discussions about sustainability and the human cost of such rapid development.

速度 (sùdù) is a high-frequency word used across all levels of formality and in numerous contexts.

You'll use it to talk about traffic, internet connections, how fast someone is walking or running, or the service speed at a restaurant. It's a very common and practical noun.

• e.g., “今天网的速度怎么样?” (Jīntiān wǎng de sùdù zěnmeyàng?) - “How's the internet speed today?”

In science, engineering, sports, and official regulations, 速度 is the precise term for “velocity” or “speed.”

• e.g., “光的速度是恒定的。” (Guāng de sùdù shì héngdìng de.) - “The speed of light is a constant.”

It can also describe the rate of abstract processes, like learning, development, or economic growth.

• e.g., “我们公司的发展速度很快。” (Wǒmen gōngsī de fāzhǎn sùdù hěn kuài.) - “Our company's development speed is very fast.”

Its connotation is neutral. The context determines whether the speed is good (fast) or bad (slow or dangerously fast).

• Example 1:
  • 这条高速公路的速度限制是每小时120公里。
  • Pinyin: Zhè tiáo gāosù gōnglù de sùdù xiànzhì shì měi xiǎoshí yībǎi èrshí gōnglǐ.
  • English: The speed limit on this highway is 120 kilometers per hour.
  • Analysis: A very standard and official use of 速度. Here, 速度限制 (sùdù xiànzhì) means “speed limit.”
• Example 2:
  • 我家的网络速度太慢了，看视频总是卡。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ jiā de wǎngluò sùdù tài màn le, kàn shìpín zǒngshì kǎ.
  • English: My home's internet speed is too slow; watching videos is always laggy.
  • Analysis: A common complaint in modern life. The structure “太…了” (tài…le) is used to express “too…”
• Example 3:
  • 他的学习速度非常快，一个月就学会了基础对话。
  • Pinyin: Tā de xuéxí sùdù fēicháng kuài, yī ge yuè jiù xuéhuì le jīchǔ duìhuà.
  • English: His learning speed is extremely fast; he learned basic conversation in just one month.
  • Analysis: This shows the figurative use of 速度 to describe the rate of an abstract process like learning.
• Example 4:
  • 为了赶上火车，我们必须加快走路的速度。
  • Pinyin: Wèile gǎnshàng huǒchē, wǒmen bìxū jiākuài zǒulù de sùdù.
  • English: In order to catch the train, we must increase our walking speed.
  • Analysis: Here, 速度 is the object of the verb phrase 加快 (jiākuài), which means “to speed up” or “accelerate.”
• Example 5:
  • 这家餐厅上菜的速度真不错！
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā cāntīng shàng cài de sùdù zhēn búcuò!
  • English: The speed of serving dishes at this restaurant is really great!
  • Analysis: A practical compliment. 上菜 (shàng cài) means “to serve dishes.”
• Example 6:
  • 你觉得哪个运动员的游泳速度最快？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ juéde nǎge yùndòngyuán de yóuyǒng sùdù zuì kuài?
  • English: Which athlete do you think has the fastest swimming speed?
  • Analysis: Used here to discuss athletic performance. Note that the adjective 快 (kuài - fast) is used to describe the noun 速度 (sùdù - speed).
• Example 7:
  • 随着年龄的增长，他的反应速度变慢了。
  • Pinyin: Suízhe niánlíng de zēngzhǎng, tā de fǎnyìng sùdù biàn màn le.
  • English: As he gets older, his reaction speed has slowed down.
  • Analysis: 反应速度 (fǎnyìng sùdù) is a set phrase for “reaction time” or “reaction speed.”
• Example 8:
  • 电脑的处理器决定了它的运行速度。
  • Pinyin: Diànnǎo de chǔlǐqì juédìngle tā de yùnxíng sùdù.
  • English: The computer's processor determines its operating speed.
  • Analysis: A technical usage. 运行速度 (yùnxíng sùdù) means “operating speed” or “running speed.”
• Example 9:
  • 请以正常的速度阅读这篇文章。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng yǐ zhèngcháng de sùdù yuèdú zhè piān wénzhāng.
  • English: Please read this article at a normal speed.
  • Analysis: A formal instruction. The structure “以…的速度” (yǐ…de sùdù) means “at a speed of…”
• Example 10:
  • “中国速度”让世界感到惊讶。
  • Pinyin: “Zhōngguó sùdù” ràng shìjiè gǎndào jīngyà.
  • English: “China Speed” has made the world feel amazed.
  • Analysis: This directly uses the important cultural term discussed earlier.

The most common mistake for learners is confusing the noun 速度 (sùdù) with the adjective/adverb 快 (kuài).

• 速度 (sùdù): A noun. It is the speed itself.
• 快 (kuài): An adjective or adverb. It describes something as being “fast” or “quick.”

Think of it this way: a car has a 速度 (sùdù), and it can be 快 (kuài). Incorrect Usage:

• 他开车很速度。 (Tā kāichē hěn sùdù.)
• Why it's wrong: This sentence is like saying “He drives very speed” in English. You are using a noun where an adjective is needed.

Correct Usage:

• Option A: 他的开车速度很快。(Tā de kāichē sùdù hěn kuài.) - His driving speed is very fast. (Using the noun `速度` and describing it with the adjective `快`.)
• Option B: 他开车开得很快。(Tā kāichē kāi de hěn kuài.) - He drives very fast. (Using the adverb `快` to describe the action of driving.)

Another related term is 快速 (kuàisù), which is an adjective or adverb meaning “high-speed” or “rapidly.” It is often more formal or emphatic than 快 (kuài).

• e.g., 这是一个快速发展的行业。(Zhè shì yī ge kuàisù fāzhǎn de hángyè.) - This is a rapidly developing industry.

• 快 (kuài) - The fundamental adjective/adverb for “fast” or “quick.”
• 慢 (màn) - The direct antonym of 快; an adjective for “slow.”
• 加速 (jiāsù) - A verb meaning “to accelerate” or “to speed up.” (Literally “add speed.”)
• 减速 (jiǎnsù) - A verb meaning “to decelerate” or “to slow down.” (Literally “reduce speed.”)
• 高速 (gāosù) - An adjective meaning “high-speed,” commonly found in words like 高速公路 (gāosù gōnglù - highway) and 高铁 (gāotiě - high-speed rail).
• 效率 (xiàolǜ) - A noun for “efficiency.” High speed often leads to high efficiency.
• 节奏 (jiézòu) - A noun for “rhythm” or “pace.” While speed is about rate, rhythm is about the pattern of that rate.
• 频率 (pínlǜ) - A noun for “frequency,” another scientific concept measuring rate over time.
• 中国速度 (Zhōngguó sùdù) - The important cultural concept of “China Speed,” referring to the nation's rapid development.