迅速 (xùn sù) — rapid; fast; speedy | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

迅速 (xùnsù) is the formal/written 'rapid, swift' — stronger than the everyday 快 and more literary than 快速. Use it for processes, responses, or growth rather than casual 'hurry up'.

adjective

rapidfastspeedy

Examples

迅速。
Tā xùn sù dì pǎo dào le zhōng diǎn.
He quickly ran to the finish line.
迅速。
Gōng sī xùn sù zhāo pìn le sān shí míng xīn yuán gōng.
The company quickly recruited thirty new employees.
迅速。
Zhè cì xíng dòng xū yào xùn sù de fǎn yìng.
This operation requires a rapid response.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

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

迅 and 速 both relate to speed, so together they mean fast.

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.

辶卂迅

Meaning part形符xíngfú

辶Written in full as辵chuò

Sound part声符shēngfú

卂

卂xùn迅xùn

Same sound today

迅 pairs 辶, written in full as 辵, with 卂, which gives the sound.

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.

Appears in

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