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March 24, 2026
速sù(su4)
The character 速 (sù) means 'fast' or 'rapid.' It is commonly used to describe speed in various contexts, such as transportation, communication, or action. This word conveys a sense of urgency and efficiency, often associated with quickness in both physical and abstract terms.
Strokes10Radical辶Frequency#3885DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In China, speed is often associated with modernity and efficiency, particularly in the context of transportation like high-speed trains that symbolize national progress. The concept of rapid development is a significant aspect of China's economic narrative.
Memory Tip
Think of 速 as a lightning bolt (the radical ‘走’, meaning ‘to walk’ or ‘to move’), representing something that moves very quickly. Picture a speedy train zipping past you, and remember that ‘sù’ sounds like 'swoosh,' the sound of something moving rapidly.
Meanings of 速
sù(su4)
1fast
2rapid
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 速
速Simplified
10Strokes
辶Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#3885Frequency Rank
Podcast: 速
Podcast: 速
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AI Study Notes for 速
Quick Contrast
快 (kuài) - use 速 (sù) for formal or technical contexts, while 快 (kuài) is more casual.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 速 as a lightning bolt (the radical ‘走’, meaning ‘to walk’ or ‘to move’), representing something that moves very quickly. Picture a speedy train zipping past you, and remember that ‘sù’ sounds like 'swoosh,' the sound of something moving rapidly.
Usage Notes
Be mindful that 速 is typically used in more formal contexts compared to informal synonyms like 快 (kuài). Common collocations include 速度 (sùdù, speed) and 迅速 (xùnsù, swift). Watch out for the tone; mispronouncing it can change the meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
While 速 is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, it connects well with other level 4 vocabulary related to speed and efficiency, such as 快 (kuài) and 慢 (màn, slow). Focus on practicing it in sentences that involve comparisons of speed.
Cultural Note
In China, speed is often associated with modernity and efficiency, particularly in the context of transportation like high-speed trains that symbolize national progress. The concept of rapid development is a significant aspect of China's economic narrative.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 速 with 快 (kuài) when describing speed. For example, saying '我走得速' (Wǒ zǒu dé sù) instead of '我走得快' (Wǒ zǒu dé kuài) is incorrect; 速 should be used in more formal contexts.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 速
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Grammar Patterns of 速
速 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
The city is developing rapidly; meanwhile, environmental problems are becoming increasingly serious.
Common Confusions with 速
速vs促
cù
Similar pronunciation; different meanings and usages.
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "fast"?
or
Example Sentences for 速 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
冷水中生物的基础代谢速度要低很多。
lěng shuǐ zhōng shēng wù de jī chǔ dài xiè sù dù yào dī hěn duō。
Basal metabolism is much lower for creatures in cold water.
2
它的利润增长速度比一般公司快4倍。
tā de lì rùn zēng cháng sù dù bǐ yī bān gōng sī kuài4 4。
Its profits are rising four times faster than the average company.
3
肯尼亚的罗伯特·基布是800米决赛入围者中速度最快的选手.
kěn ní yà de luó bó tè· · jī bù800 shì 800 mǐ jué sài rù wéi zhě zhōng sù dù zuì kuài de.
Kenya's Robert Kibe was the fastest qualifier for the 800 metres final.
4
贸易赤字是经济快速发展带来的负面产物。
mào yì chì zì shì jīng jì kuài sù fā zhǎn dài lái de fù miàn chǎn wù。
The trade deficit is the flip side of a rapidly expanding economy.
5
火车的平均速度比我们骑自行车的速度快不了多少。
huǒ chē de píng jūn sù dù bǐ wǒ mén qí zì háng chē de sù dù kuài bù le duō shǎo。
The train's average speed was no better than that of our bicycles.
6
到第三圈时，金基德的车速达到了每小时289英里。
dào dì sān quān shí， ， jīn jī dé de chē sù dá dào le měi xiǎo289 shí 289。
By the third lap Kinkead had touched 289 m.p.h.
7
这是我所见过的最速成的游泳课。
zhè shì wǒ suǒ jiàn guò de zuì sù chéng de yóu yǒng kè。
It was the quickest swimming lesson I'd ever witnessed.
8
这场战争必须速战速决，尽量兵不血刃。
zhè cháng zhàn zhēng bì xū sù zhàn sù jué， ， jìn liáng bīng bù xiě。
This war had to be fought fast and relatively bloodlessly.
9
小孩子识字的速度不同，这不足为奇。
xiǎo hái zǐ shí zì de sù dù bù tóng， ， zhè bù zú wéi。
It is not surprising that children learn to read at different rates.
10
这架喷气式飞机突然着火，急速坠地。
zhè jià pēn qì shì fēi jī tū rán zháo huǒ， ， jí sù zhuì。
The jet burst into flames and plummeted to the ground.
Cultural Notes for 速
💡Did you know?
In Chinese culture, speed is often associated with efficiency and productivity. The saying '快' (kuài) signifies not just speed but also the importance of being timely in both personal and professional contexts.
🏮Cultural insight
In China, speed is often associated with modernity and efficiency, particularly in the context of transportation like high-speed trains that symbolize national progress. The concept of rapid development is a significant aspect of China's economic narrative.
Word Family of 速
Words Containing This Character20
速度sùdùspeed
迅速xùnsùrapid
快速kuàisùfast
速sùfast
加速jiāsùto speed up
高速gāosùhigh speed
高速公路gāosùgōnglùexpressway
减速jiǎnsùto reduce speed減速
时速shísùspeed per hour時速
高速路highway
超速chāosùto speed
光速the speed of light
急速hurried
全速top speed
飞速fēisùflying speed飛速
速率speed
车速chēsùvehicle speed車速
速决quick decision速決
风速wind speed風速
火速huǒsùat top speed
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 速度 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 速
速 (sù) and 快 (kuài) both mean fast, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 速 is often used in formal or technical contexts, such as in descriptions of speed, while 快 is more common in everyday conversation. For example, you might say '快走' (kuài zǒu) to mean 'walk quickly'.
You can use 速 (sù) in sentences to indicate something happens quickly. For example, '他的反应很速' (tā de fǎnyìng hěn sù) translates to 'His reaction is very fast.' It can also be combined with other words, like '速度' (sùdù) meaning 'speed'.
速 (sù) means fast, rapid, or quick in Chinese. It is often used to describe speed or velocity in various contexts, such as transportation or action. For example, '快速' (kuàisù) means 'fast' or 'rapid'.
Common phrases include 速度 (sùdù, speed) and 迅速 (xùnsù, swift). You might also hear 速食 (sùshí, fast food) in daily conversations.
The correct pronunciation is with a falling tone, 'sù.' Practicing with tone drills can help you get it right.
