Translation and Meaning of: 速い - hayai

The Japanese word 「速い」 (hayai) originates from the combination of the kanji 「速」 meaning "fast," and the adjectival suffix 「い」, thus forming an adjective that describes something that happens within a short span of time. The root of the kanji 「速」 traces back to concepts of agile movement and has historically been used to describe situations where speed was a determining factor. Over the centuries, becoming fast has been a valued characteristic in various aspects of culture, including transportation, communication, and work.

Defining 「速い」 more deeply, this expression is used to indicate speed in a more literal or physical sense, such as running, driving, or even the operation of machines. It is interesting to note that the term can contrast with another Japanese adjective 「早い」 (also read as hayai), which refers to something "early" or "initial," bringing nuances to the use of the Japanese language. This difference makes context vital for a precise understanding of what is being expressed.

In colloquial use, 「速い」 is a word widely used to describe various aspects of modern daily life. We can identify several situations where speed is an essential element, such as in sports competitions, travel, and even in the performance of the services we use daily, like internet access or mail delivery. The importance of time and efficiency can be noted in the frequency with which Japanese culture values speed in processes.

Interestingly, observing the etymological roots of Japanese kanji reveals the importance of agility in the cultural and historical richness of Japan. The concept of 「速い」 intersects in various sectors, symbolizing not just physical movement, but also evolution and progress. Nowadays, its application resonates in technology, commerce, and innovation, reinforcing the idea that being fast is an essential and eternal attribute in society.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 早い (Hayai) - Quick, generally used to describe something that happens in a short time or is done swiftly.
• 迅速な (Jinsoku na) - Quick generally refers to an action that is done efficiently and without delay.
• 素早い (Subayai) - Fast, with an emphasis on speed and the ability to move quickly.
• 敏速な (Binsoku na) - Quick, with a connotation of precision and promptness in response.
• 急速な (Kyūsoku na) - Quick, often used to describe something that happens suddenly or intensely.

速い

Romaji: hayai
Kana: はやい
Type: adjective
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: fast;quick;swift

Meaning in English: quick;fast;swift

Definition: It is very fast. Do things quickly that take time.

Example Sentences - (速い) hayai

See below some example sentences:

瞬きが速い人は神経が鋭いと言われています。

Winku ga hayai hito wa shinkei ga surudoi to iwareteimasu

People with rapid blinking are said to be nervous.

• 瞬き - - blink of an eye
• が - - subject particle
• 速い - - fast
• 人 - - person
• は - - Topic particle
• 神経 - - nervous
• が - - subject particle
• 鋭い - - sharp
• と - - Quote particle
• 言われています - - it's said, it's spoken

スピードが速い車が好きです。

Supīdo ga hayai kuruma ga suki desu

I like fast cars.

I like cars that are fast.

• スピードが速い - Fast speed
• 車 - car
• 好きです - taste

テンポが速い曲が好きです。

Tenpo ga hayai kyoku ga suki desu

I like songs with a fast tempo.

I like songs with a fast tempo.

• テンポ - rhythm
• が - subject particle
• 速い - fast
• 曲 - music
• が - subject particle
• 好き - like
• です - Is (verb to be in the present tense)

新幹線はとても速いです。

Shinkansen wa totemo hayai desu

The Shinkansen is very fast.

• 新幹線 - Shinkansen (bullet train)
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 速い - fast
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

特急は速い列車です。

Tokkyū wa hayai ressha desu

The Tokkyū is a fast train.

Limited Express is a fast train.

• 特急 - Express train
• は - Topic particle
• 速い - fast
• 列車 - train
• です - is

私はタイプが速いです。

Watashi wa taipu ga hayai desu

I'm fast at typing.

I have a fast type.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - Japanese topic particle
• タイプ (taipu) - The word borrowed from English "type" means "typing" in Japanese.
• が (ga) - Subject particle in Japanese.
• 速い (hayai) - adjective that means "fast" in Japanese
• です (desu) - verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate politeness and formality

私の方が速いです。

Watashi no hou ga hayai desu

I'm faster.

• 私 - signifies "I" in Japanese
• の - particle of possession, which indicates that what comes next belongs to "I"
• 方 - It means "side" or "person" in Japanese, but in this case, it is used as a comparative, indicating that "I" am faster than another person
• が - subject particle, indicating that "eu" is the subject of the sentence
• 速い - adjective that means "fast" in Japanese
• です - verb "to be" in Japanese, which indicates that the sentence is in the present tense and is formal

速度が速い車は危険です。

Sokudo ga hayai kuruma wa kiken desu

A car with high speed is dangerous.

A fast speed car is dangerous.

• 速度 - Speed
• が - Grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 速い - fast
• 車 - car
• は - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 危険 - dangerous
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

速い車が好きです。

Hayai kuruma ga suki desu

I like fast cars.

I like fast cars.

• 速い - Adjective that means "fast"
• 車 - noun that means "car"
• が - subject particle
• 好き - The adjective that means "to like" is "gostoso" or "agradável."
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

オートバイは速くて楽しい乗り物です。

Ootobai wa hayakute tanoshii norimono desu

The motorcycle is a quick and fun vehicle.

The motorcycle is a quick and fun vehicle.

• オートバイ (ootobai) - motorcycle
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 速くて (hayakute) - fast and
• 楽しい (tanoshii) - fun
• 乗り物 (norimono) - vehicle
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar