快当 (kuài dāng) — quick, prompt (in action or response)

Definition

快当 (kuài dāng) is a formal, written adjective meaning 'quick and decisive' in handling tasks or responses — close to 迅速, but emphasizes promptness in action rather than just speed. Common in business or official contexts.

adjective
quickprompt (in action or response)

Examples

  • 快当。
    Zhè wèi mì shū zuò shì fēi cháng kuài dāng.
    This secretary handles matters very promptly.
  • ，。
    Tā dá fù dé hěn kuài dāng, méi yǒu bàn diǎn yóu yù.
    He replied very quickly, without a moment's hesitation.
  • 快当。
    kuài dāng De yìng duì ràng kè hù shí fēn mǎn yì.
    The prompt response made the client very satisfied.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

快kuàiquick
当dāngproper/suitable

快当 combines 快, 'quick', with 当, 'proper/suitable', to describe prompt, efficient action.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
忄Written in full as心xīn
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.

Open 快 →

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 當; 当 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
田田tiánfield
Sound part声符shēngfú
尚
尚shàng當dāng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 當 combines 田 (field) with 尚; the evidence describes fields facing each other.

Open 当 →

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.