迅速

• Pinyin: xùn sù
• Hanzi breakdown: 迅 = 辶 (movement radical) + 卂 (phonetic), swift; 速 = 辶 (movement radical) + 束 (bundle/bind), speed

Meaning

Swift; rapid; speedy. Describes something that happens or is done very quickly.

Often used to describe a fast response, a rapid development, or a quick action. More formal than 快 and frequently appears in news reports, official announcements, and descriptive writing. Can modify verbs (迅速行动 — to act quickly) or nouns (迅速发展 — rapid development).

Examples

1. 消防员迅速赶到现场，及时控制了火势。 The firefighters rushed to the scene quickly and brought the fire under control in time.
2. 这家公司在短短几年内迅速发展成了行业领军企业。 This company rapidly grew into a leading enterprise in the industry within just a few years.
3. 听到警报声，大家迅速撤离了大楼。 Upon hearing the alarm, everyone quickly evacuated the building.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, professional, news

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 他迅速做出了决定，没有浪费时间。(He made the decision swiftly, without wasting any time.)
• 救援队迅速展开了搜救行动。(The rescue team quickly launched the search and rescue operation.)

Don't Say

• 把'迅速'用于描述速度很慢的事物 (Don't use 迅速 for things that move slowly — it specifically conveys speed and urgency)

Origin & History

A compound of 迅 (swift, from 辶 movement + phonetic component) and 速 (speed, from 辶 movement + 束 bundle). Both components relate to fast movement.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal