从速 (cóng sù) — as soon as possible; without delay

Definition

Formal adverb meaning 'as soon as possible' — used in notices, official writing, and urgent requests rather than everyday speech.

adverb

as soon as possiblewithout delay

从速。
Qǐng cóng sù bàn lǐ xiāng guān shǒu xù.
Please handle the relevant procedures as soon as possible.
，从速。
Kù cún yǒu xiàn, yù gòu cóng sù.
Limited stock — buy as soon as you can.
从速，。
Cǐ shì xū cóng sù chǔ lǐ, bù dé tuō yán.
This matter must be dealt with without delay.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

从cóngact according to

从 means act according to and 速 means speed, so the word means to do something quickly.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 從; 从 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

辵辵chuòwalk

Sound part声符shēngfú

从

Same sound today

The traditional form 從 pairs 辵 (walk) with 从, which gives the sound; the character was originally written 从.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

辵辵chuò

Sound part声符shēngfú

束

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

速 pairs 辵, the walking part, with 束, which is used for its sound; the walking part fits the meaning of moving fast.