Translation guide
The English word "swift" can describe speed, quickness, or suddenness. In Japanese, different words and expressions are used depending on whether you mean fast movement, a short duration, or a prompt response.
Describing something or someone that moves or acts with great speed.
The most common and versatile adjective for 'swift' in the sense of quick, nimble movement or action. Can be used for people, animals, or things.
彼は素早い動きで相手をかわした。
He dodged his opponent with a swift movement.
猫はとても素早い動物だ。
Cats are very swift animals.
A more formal adjective often used in business or official contexts to mean swift, prompt, or expeditious. Emphasizes efficiency and lack of delay.
迅速な対応をありがとうございます。
Thank you for your swift response.
The general word for 'fast' or 'quick'. Can be used for speed of movement, but is broader than 'swift'. Often implies high speed rather than nimbleness.
彼は足が速い。
He is swift of foot. (He runs fast.)
Literary expression meaning 'like a gale', used to describe something extremely swift and powerful.
疾風のような攻撃で敵を圧倒した。
They overwhelmed the enemy with a swift attack like a gale.
Describing an event, response, or change that occurs very soon or immediately.
Used to describe a swift action taken right after something else, often with a nuance of 'without hesitation' or 'promptly'. Common in business emails.
早速のご返信ありがとうございます。
Thank you for your swift reply.
Means 'immediate' or 'instant'. Stronger than 早速, emphasizing zero delay. Often used for reactions or decisions.
彼は即座の判断を下した。
He made a swift decision.
As above, also fits here for formal contexts emphasizing promptness.
迅速な対応が求められる。
A swift response is required.
Describing a brief visit, moment, or period of time.
The standard word for 'short' in duration. Can be used for a swift visit or moment.
短い訪問だったが、楽しかった。
It was a swift visit, but enjoyable.
Means 'fleeting' or 'momentary'. Often used poetically for a swift, transient moment.
束の間の休息を楽しんだ。
We enjoyed a swift moment of rest.
Describing how an action is performed: in a swift manner.
The adverbial form of 素早い. The most natural way to say 'swiftly' for nimble, quick actions.
彼は素早く走り去った。
He swiftly ran away.
Adverbial form of 迅速, used in formal contexts for acting swiftly and efficiently.
問題を迅速に解決した。
They swiftly resolved the issue.
An onomatopoeic adverb meaning 'quickly' or 'swiftly', often used for light, smooth movements.
素早い (subayai) emphasizes nimbleness and agility, often for living things. 速い (hayai) is general 'fast' for speed. 迅速 (jinsoku) is formal and focuses on promptness without delay. Use 素早い for 'swift' in most everyday contexts.
English 'swift' is about speed, not about being early in time. Do not use 早い (hayai, meaning 'early') to translate 'swift'. 早い refers to time (e.g., early morning), while 速い refers to speed.
急流がボートを素早く押し流した。
The swift current carried the boat away.
彼女は即座に返事をした。
She gave a swift reply.
Idiomatic phrase meaning 'without a moment's delay' or 'in the blink of an eye'. Used for extremely swift reactions.
間髪を入れずに反論した。
He countered with a swift rebuttal.
He stood up swiftly.