快 (kuài) — (adjective) fast, quick; (adverb) soon, shortly; almost
Definition
快 covers both 'fast' (adjective) and 'soon/almost' (adverb) — the HSK 1–2 all-rounder. More formal siblings 快速 and 迅速 are written/technical; 速度 is the noun for speed.
adjective
fastquick
adverb
soonshortlyalmost
Examples
- 快。Tā xiě dé kuài.He writes fast.
- 快。Wǒ men kuài dào le.We'll arrive soon.
- 快。Xiàn zài kuài shí diǎn le.It's almost ten o'clock.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
Sound part声符shēngfú
夬
夬guài快kuài
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.
快 pairs the left part 忄 (full form 心, the heart) with the right part 夬, which gives the sound.
Grammar
Appears in
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