Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Fast; quick; rapid: Having a speed, rate, or pace above the normal level; the opposite of slow (chậm). Used to describe movement, action, or development.
   • Fast (of a clock/watch): Running at a rate above the standard, therefore showing a time that is ahead of the correct time.
   • Quick (of a body part): Used before nouns indicating body parts (e.g., hand, foot, eye) to describe timely, immediate, or agile action.
   • Quick (of mental faculty): Showing an ability to comprehend, react, or act immediately or within a very short time.
   • Brief (of an action): Taking place within a very short period.

2. Adverb:

   • Quickly; rapidly: Often used following a verb to describe the manner of an action performed with speed.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Xe chạy nhanh. (The car runs fast.)
  • Đồng hồ của tôi chạy nhanh năm phút mỗi ngày. (My watch runs five minutes fast each day.)
  • Cô ấy có đôi tay rất nhanh. (She has very quick hands.)
  • Đứa trẻ này hiểu rất nhanh. (This child understands very quickly.)
  • Anh ấy đọc một tin ghi nhanh. (He read a brief news note.)

• Adverb:

  • Làm nhanh lên! (Do it quickly!)
  • Cô ấy viết rất nhanh. (She writes very fast.)

Advanced Usage

• "nhanh như chớp" / "nhanh như điện": As fast as lightning; describes extreme speed or a very quick reaction.

  • Phản ứng của vận động viên nhanh như chớp. (The athlete's reaction was as fast as lightning.)

• "nhanh nhẹn": Agile; nimble; describes a person who is quick and lively in movement or thought.

  • Một đứa trẻ nhanh nhẹn và hoạt bát. (A nimble and lively child.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nhanh chóng (adj/adv): Prompt; swift; promptly. Emphasizes speed combined with timeliness.

  • Chúng tôi cần một câu trả lời nhanh chóng. (We need a prompt answer.)

• Nhanh nhảu (adj): Often has a slightly negative connotation of being too quick to speak or answer, sometimes without enough thought.

  • Đừng nhanh nhảu đoán mò. (Don't be too quick to guess.)

Synonyms

• Fast: Moving or capable of moving at high speed.
• Quick: Taking very little time; prompt.
• Rapid: Happening in a short time or at a fast pace.
• Swift: Happening quickly or promptly.
• Brisk: Active, fast, and energetic.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Nhanh lên!: Hurry up! (A common催促 phrase.)

  • Nhanh lên, chúng ta sắp muộn rồi! (Hurry up, we're going to be late!)

• Ăn nhanh, nói nhanh: To eat quickly, to speak quickly; describes a hasty manner.

  • Tính anh ấy ăn nhanh, nói nhanh. (His character is to eat fast and talk fast.)

• Chóng mặt, chóng mặt: (Literally: fast-face) Can mean dizzy, but in some contexts implies things are happening too quickly to keep up with.

  • Giá cả tăng nhanh chóng mặt. (Prices are rising at a dizzying speed.)

adj

1. fast; rapid; quick
   • xe chạy nhanh
     fast card