Translation guide
How to express 'briskly' in Japanese, covering quick movement, energetic action, lively manner, and business-like efficiency.
Describing physical movement that is fast, lively, and purposeful.
An adverb meaning quickly, briskly, without delay. Often implies doing something promptly and efficiently, sometimes with a sense of impatience.
彼はさっさと歩いていった。
He walked off briskly.
さっさと片付けてしまおう。
Let's tidy up briskly.
An onomatopoeic adverb describing brisk, energetic, and efficient movement or behavior. Often used for people who work or move smartly.
彼女はきびきびと動いている。
She is moving briskly.
きびきびした対応が好印象だ。
A brisk response leaves a good impression.
Similar to きびきび, but emphasizes quick, efficient, and business-like handling of tasks. Often used in work contexts.
彼はてきぱきと仕事をこなす。
He handles his work briskly.
An onomatopoeia for walking briskly and purposefully, often without looking back. Slightly literary or emphatic.
彼はすたすたと去っていった。
He walked away briskly.
Describing an action done with spirit, vigor, or cheerfulness.
Literally 'energetically', used for brisk, lively actions. Very common and natural.
子供たちが元気よく走り回っている。
The children are running around briskly.
Means 'actively, vigorously'. Suitable for brisk activity, especially in descriptions of people or animals.
彼は活発に動き回る。
He moves about briskly.
Describing a manner that is quick, impersonal, and focused on efficiency, often in service or professional settings.
Means 'efficiently, skillfully'. Implies a brisk, competent handling of a task.
彼女は手際よく料理を作った。
She cooked briskly and efficiently.
Means 'without a hitch, flawlessly'. Often used for brisk, efficient work that leaves no room for complaint.
彼はそつなく仕事を終えた。
He finished the job briskly and flawlessly.
Means 'in a business-like manner'. Can imply a cold, brisk efficiency. Use with care as it may sound impersonal.
彼は事務的に説明した。
He explained briskly and business-likely.
Specifically describing a fast walking speed, often for exercise or purposeful movement.
Literally 'with quick steps'. The most common way to say 'walk briskly'.
彼は早足で駅に向かった。
He walked briskly to the station.
Same reading and meaning as 早足, but uses the kanji for 'fast' instead of 'early'. Interchangeable.
速足で歩くのは健康に良い。
Walking briskly is good for your health.
Means 'hurriedly, at a quick pace'. Slightly more urgent than 早足.
急ぎ足で会場へ向かう。
Head briskly to the venue.
Describing speech that is quick and perhaps a little sharp or impatient.
Means 'curtly, brusquely'. Often used for brisk, unfriendly speech.
彼はぶっきらぼうに答えた。
He answered briskly.
Means 'coldly, curtly'. Similar to ぶっきらぼうに but slightly more dismissive.
そっけなく言われて傷ついた。
I was hurt by his brisk remark.
きびきび emphasizes energetic, smart movement. てきぱき focuses on efficient task handling. さっさと implies doing something quickly, sometimes with a nuance of 'without dawdling' or even impatience.
新人がきびきび動いて気持ちがいい。
The new employee moves briskly and it's refreshing.
てきぱきと指示を出す。
Give instructions briskly.
さっさと宿題をやりなさい。
Do your homework briskly (stop dawdling).
There is no single Japanese adverb that covers all uses of 'briskly'. Choose the expression based on the specific nuance: speed, energy, efficiency, or manner of speaking.