Translation guide
The English verb 'quicken' means to become faster or to make something faster. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various verbs and phrases depending on what is quickening (pace, heartbeat, breathing, etc.) and whether it is intransitive or transitive.
To describe something becoming faster on its own, such as pace, speed, heartbeat, or breathing.
The most general and neutral way to say 'become faster'. Used for speed, pace, tempo, etc.
走るペースが速くなった。
My running pace quickened.
The tempo of the music quickens.
Often used for events happening sooner than expected, or for a schedule being moved up. Can also mean 'become faster' in some contexts, but '速くなる' is more common for physical speed.
出発が早まった。
The departure was quickened (moved up).
Means 'accelerate'. More technical or formal than '速くなる'. Often used for vehicles or economic trends.
車が加速した。
The car quickened (accelerated).
To cause something to become faster, such as pace, steps, or a process.
The most direct and common way to say 'make faster'. Can be used for physical speed, pace, or abstract processes.
彼は歩調を速くした。
He quickened his pace.
作業のスピードを速くしてください。
Please quicken the speed of the work.
Transitive verb meaning 'to hasten' or 'to advance (a schedule)'. Often used for deadlines, events, or processes rather than physical speed.
Causative form of '加速する', meaning 'to make something accelerate'. More formal or technical.
政府は経済成長を加速させようとしている。
The government is trying to quicken economic growth.
To describe a heartbeat becoming faster, often due to excitement, fear, or exertion.
Literally 'heartbeat becomes fast'. The most natural way to say 'heart quickens'.
緊張で鼓動が速くなった。
My heartbeat quickened from nervousness.
Idiomatic expression meaning 'heart pounds/throbs' with excitement or anticipation. More poetic/literary.
期待に胸が高鳴った。
My heart quickened with anticipation.
More clinical way to say 'pulse quickens'. Used in medical or descriptive contexts.
運動すると脈が速くなる。
Your pulse quickens when you exercise.
To describe breathing becoming faster, often due to exertion or emotion.
Standard way to say 'breathing quickens'.
走った後、呼吸が速くなった。
After running, my breathing quickened.
Means 'breathing becomes rough/heavy'. Implies labored or panting breath, not just faster.
恐怖で息が荒くなった。
His breathing quickened and became ragged from fear.
To make a process, development, or change happen faster.
Used for hastening events, schedules, or abstract processes.
技術の進歩を早める。
To quicken the pace of technological progress.
Means 'to promote/accelerate'. Often used in formal contexts like business or policy.
改革を促進する。
To quicken reforms.
Both are read 'hayai' but have different kanji. 速い refers to speed (fast), while 早い refers to time (early). When talking about quickening pace or speed, use 速くなる/速くする. When talking about moving a schedule earlier, use 早める/早まる. However, in kana, both are written はやい, so context clarifies meaning.
There is no single Japanese verb that covers all uses of 'quicken'. Using a direct translation like 'クイッケンする' is not Japanese. Always rephrase based on what is becoming/made faster.
We quickened our departure (moved it up).
死期を早める。
To hasten one's death.