特快

• Pinyin: tè kuài
• Hanzi breakdown: 特 = special; 快 = fast — express, extra fast

Meaning

Express; extra fast. Describes high-speed transportation or delivery services.

Most commonly refers to 特快列车 (express train), a faster category than regular trains but slower than 高铁 (high-speed rail). Also used for delivery: 特快专递 (express delivery), 特快邮件 (express mail). The abbreviation T开头的车次 (train numbers starting with T) indicates express trains in China's railway system.

Examples

1. 这趟特快列车只需要四个小时就能到达。 This express train only takes four hours to arrive.
2. 这份文件很急，请用特快专递寄出。 This document is urgent; please send it by express delivery.
3. 特快列车比普通列车贵，但省了不少时间。 Express trains are more expensive than regular trains, but they save a lot of time.

Usage Guide

Context: transportation, delivery, mail

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 坐特快还是高铁？(Should we take the express train or high-speed rail?)
• 这个包裹走特快几天能到？(How many days will this package take via express?)

Don't Say

• 高铁比特快还快，不叫'特快' (High-speed rail is faster than express trains and isn't called 特快 — use 高铁)

Origin & History

Compound of 特 (special, extra) + 快 (fast). Meaning specially fast = express.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal