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A1 adverb #2,200 le plus courant 13 min de lecture

deprisa

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces deprisa en 30 secondes
Explication deprisa in your Level:
At the A1 level, learning the word deprisa is essential for basic communication regarding daily routines and simple commands. Beginners are introduced to this adverb as a tool to describe how actions are performed, specifically focusing on speed. The primary goal at this stage is to understand that deprisa means 'fast' or 'quickly' and to recognize it in spoken and written Spanish. Students learn to pair deprisa with highly common verbs of motion, such as ir (to go), caminar (to walk), and correr (to run). For example, a student might learn to say 'Yo camino deprisa' (I walk fast) or 'El perro corre deprisa' (The dog runs fast). A critical grammatical concept introduced at this level is that deprisa is an invariable word. Unlike adjectives, which change depending on whether the noun is masculine, feminine, singular, or plural, deprisa always stays exactly the same. This makes it very user-friendly for beginners. Teachers often use deprisa in classroom instructions, such as 'Escribid deprisa, por favor' (Write quickly, please), helping students internalize the word through practical application. Additionally, A1 learners are taught to use the modifier 'muy' (very) to amplify the meaning, creating phrases like 'muy deprisa' (very fast). They also learn the basic negative imperative to ask people to slow down, particularly when listening to native speakers: 'No hables deprisa, por favor' (Don't speak fast, please). This specific phrase is a survival tool for any beginner navigating conversations with fluent speakers. By the end of the A1 level, a student should feel comfortable understanding deprisa in simple sentences, using it to describe their own basic actions, and recognizing its invariable nature as an adverb of manner.
As students progress to the A2 level, their use of deprisa expands to include past and future tenses, allowing them to narrate stories and describe events with more detail. At this stage, learners move beyond simple present tense descriptions and begin to use deprisa with the preterite and imperfect tenses. For example, they learn to say 'Ayer caminé muy deprisa porque llovía' (Yesterday I walked very fast because it was raining) or 'Él conducía deprisa cuando ocurrió el accidente' (He was driving fast when the accident happened). This integration with past tenses is crucial for developing narrative skills. Furthermore, A2 students begin to use deprisa in conjunction with giving reasons and expressing obligations. They learn structures like 'Tengo que ir deprisa porque llego tarde' (I have to go fast because I am late). This demonstrates an understanding of cause and effect related to speed and time management. The comparative form is also introduced at this level. Students learn to compare the speed of different actions using 'más deprisa que' (faster than) and 'menos deprisa que' (less fast than). For instance, 'El tren va más deprisa que el autobús' (The train goes faster than the bus). This expands their ability to describe the world around them comparatively. Additionally, A2 learners start to differentiate deprisa from similar basic words, such as the adjective 'rápido', understanding that deprisa modifies the verb while rápido modifies the noun. They practice listening comprehension exercises where identifying the word deprisa helps them understand the urgency or pace of a recorded dialogue. By mastering these applications, A2 students can effectively use deprisa to tell stories, make comparisons, and explain the necessity of speed in various everyday situations.
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At the B1 level, the understanding and application of deprisa become significantly more nuanced and integrated into complex sentence structures. Students at this intermediate stage are expected to use deprisa naturally in conversations about habits, hypothetical situations, and personal opinions. They begin to use the adverb with the subjunctive mood, particularly in sentences expressing desires, recommendations, or doubts. For example, 'Te aconsejo que no vayas tan deprisa' (I advise you not to go so fast) or 'Dudo que él pueda terminar el trabajo tan deprisa' (I doubt he can finish the work so quickly). This demonstrates a higher level of grammatical sophistication. B1 learners also expand their vocabulary by learning common collocations and idiomatic phrases that include deprisa. They might learn expressions like 'hacer algo deprisa y corriendo' (to do something hastily and carelessly) to describe poor quality work due to rushing. The concept of degree is further explored with words like 'demasiado' (too) and 'bastante' (quite), allowing for more precise descriptions: 'Conduces demasiado deprisa para esta carretera' (You drive too fast for this road). Furthermore, students at this level engage in discussions about cultural differences regarding time and punctuality, using deprisa to describe the fast-paced lifestyle of modern cities compared to rural areas. They practice expressing frustration or anxiety related to speed, using verbs like 'agobiar' (to overwhelm) in context: 'Me agobia cuando la gente camina muy deprisa en el metro'. Listening exercises at the B1 level involve authentic audio materials, such as news reports or podcasts, where deprisa is spoken at a natural, native speed. By the end of B1, students can seamlessly incorporate deprisa into complex, multi-clause sentences, use it to express subjective opinions, and understand its role in broader cultural conversations about time and pace.
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Reaching the B2 level signifies an upper-intermediate proficiency where the use of deprisa becomes highly sophisticated, focusing on stylistic choices, register, and subtle semantic distinctions. At this stage, learners are no longer just using deprisa to communicate basic speed; they are choosing it deliberately over synonyms to convey specific tones. B2 students deeply analyze the differences between deprisa, rápidamente, velozmente, and apresuradamente. They understand that while deprisa is excellent for everyday urgency, velozmente might be better for a dramatic written narrative, and apresuradamente implies a sense of clumsy haste. This stylistic awareness is crucial for writing essays, reports, and formal emails. In spoken Spanish, B2 learners use deprisa effortlessly in debates and complex arguments, often using it metaphorically. For instance, discussing economic changes: 'La inflación está subiendo muy deprisa este año' (Inflation is rising very fast this year). Here, deprisa describes a rate of change rather than physical movement. They also master the use of deprisa in conditional and hypothetical frameworks: 'Si hubieras ido más deprisa, habríamos llegado a tiempo' (If you had gone faster, we would have arrived on time), showcasing their command of the past perfect subjunctive and conditional perfect. Furthermore, B2 students explore the psychological implications of the word, discussing topics like stress, burnout, and the 'cultura de la prisa' (culture of hurry). They can articulate complex thoughts on how living 'deprisa' affects mental health. Listening comprehension involves understanding rapid, colloquial speech where deprisa might be slurred or spoken with regional accents. By the end of the B2 level, a student's use of deprisa is virtually indistinguishable from a native speaker's everyday usage, characterized by grammatical flawless integration, appropriate stylistic selection, and the ability to use it in abstract and metaphorical contexts.
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At the C1 advanced level, the word deprisa is utilized with near-native fluency, characterized by a deep understanding of its literary, idiomatic, and socio-cultural dimensions. C1 learners engage with complex texts—such as literature, academic articles, and high-level journalism—where deprisa is used to manipulate pacing and tone. They analyze how authors use the adverb to create tension or reflect a character's internal state of panic. In their own writing, C1 students use deprisa to craft varied and rhythmic sentences, knowing exactly when to place it for maximum rhetorical effect, sometimes even breaking standard word order rules for emphasis: 'Deprisa, muy deprisa, se desvanecieron nuestras esperanzas' (Quickly, very quickly, our hopes vanished). This level of stylistic manipulation requires profound confidence. Idiomatic mastery is also a hallmark of the C1 level. Students seamlessly use expressions like 'darse prisa' (to hurry up) and understand the subtle difference between 'ir deprisa' (to go fast) and 'tener prisa' (to be in a hurry). They can engage in philosophical or sociological discussions about the acceleration of modern society, using deprisa to articulate complex theories about technology, globalization, and human perception of time. For example, 'La digitalización ha provocado que la información fluya demasiado deprisa, impidiendo una asimilación crítica'. Furthermore, C1 learners are highly attuned to regional variations and colloquialisms. They understand how the frequency and pronunciation of deprisa might change between Spain, Argentina, or Mexico, and they can adjust their own register accordingly. They can easily comprehend fast-paced, overlapping dialogue in movies or real-life arguments where deprisa is used repeatedly. Ultimately, at the C1 level, deprisa is not just a vocabulary word to be learned, but a linguistic tool to be wielded with precision, elegance, and deep cultural awareness.
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The C2 level represents absolute mastery, where the learner's command of deprisa is equivalent to that of a highly educated native speaker. At this pinnacle of language acquisition, the focus is on the most subtle nuances, historical etymology, and the ability to play with the language creatively. C2 users understand the etymological roots of deprisa (from the Latin 'pressa') and how its historical evolution informs its modern usage. They can read classic Spanish literature from the Golden Age and understand how the concept of speed and haste was expressed differently in the past compared to the present. In contemporary usage, a C2 speaker can invent their own metaphors or poetic imagery using deprisa, pushing the boundaries of standard collocations while remaining grammatically impeccable. They can engage in highly technical or academic discourse, using deprisa to describe complex scientific phenomena, such as the rapid division of cells or the velocity of economic market crashes, with absolute precision. Their use of the word is entirely intuitive; they do not translate from their native language but think directly in Spanish, instinctively knowing when deprisa is the absolute perfect word choice over any synonym. They can detect the slightest irony, sarcasm, or underlying anxiety when a native speaker uses the word in conversation. For instance, understanding the passive-aggressive undertone in a phrase like 'No te des tanta deprisa, que te vas a cansar' (Don't hurry so much, you'll get tired) when said to someone who is actually working very slowly. C2 learners can write persuasive essays, deliver compelling public speeches, and participate in rapid-fire debates, using deprisa to control the rhythm of their rhetoric and captivate their audience. At this level, the word is fully integrated into their linguistic identity, a testament to their complete immersion and mastery of the Spanish language.
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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

deprisa en 30 secondes

  • Means 'quickly' or 'fast' in English.
  • It is an adverb, so it modifies verbs, not nouns.
  • It is invariable: it never changes for gender or number.
  • Often used to express urgency or rushing in daily life.
The Spanish adverb deprisa is a fundamental vocabulary word that translates to quickly, fast, or hurriedly in English. It is an adverb of manner, meaning it describes how an action is performed. When someone does something deprisa, they are executing the action at a high speed, often with a sense of urgency or a lack of time. Understanding the nuances of this word is crucial for learners because it is used constantly in daily life, from rushing to catch a bus to describing the fast pace of modern society. The word itself is formed from the preposition de and the noun prisa, which means haste or hurry. Over time, these two words merged into a single adverbial form, although you will still occasionally see it written as two separate words, de prisa, which is also accepted by the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) but less common in contemporary writing.
Adverb of Manner
An adverb that modifies a verb to tell us how the action happens. Deprisa always modifies the verb, never a noun.
When you use this word, you are conveying not just speed, but often a psychological state of rushing.

Siempre camina muy deprisa cuando llega tarde al trabajo.

This urgency is a key component of its meaning. It differs slightly from the adjective rápido, which can modify nouns (un coche rápido) or act as an adverb (corre rápido). Deprisa is strictly an adverb. In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the concept of time and speed can vary significantly from other parts of the world, but the physical reality of needing to move quickly remains universal.
Invariable Form
Because it is an adverb, deprisa does not change for gender or number. It is always deprisa.
Whether you are talking about one person or a group of people, the word remains exactly the same.

Los niños comieron deprisa para salir a jugar.

This makes it relatively easy for beginners to use, as there is no need to worry about agreement rules that complicate adjectives. Furthermore, the word can be modified by adverbs of degree, such as muy (very), demasiado (too), or bastante (quite).

No hables tan deprisa, por favor, no te entiendo.

This flexibility allows speakers to precisely calibrate the level of speed or urgency they wish to communicate. In literature and formal writing, deprisa is often used to set the pacing of a scene, creating a sense of tension or excitement.
Etymological Roots
Derived from Vulgar Latin 'pressa', meaning pressure or crowding, reflecting the feeling of being pressed for time.
The evolution of the word highlights how human perception of speed is often tied to the pressure of external circumstances.

El corazón le latía deprisa por el susto.

This physical manifestation of speed—a beating heart, rapid breathing—is perfectly captured by the adverb. Ultimately, mastering deprisa involves recognizing its syntactic role, its invariable nature, and its emotional connotations of urgency and haste.

Haz los deberes deprisa si quieres ver la televisión.

By integrating this word into your vocabulary, you gain a powerful tool for describing the dynamic, ever-moving world around you with accuracy and natural fluency.
Using the adverb deprisa correctly requires an understanding of Spanish sentence structure and the specific verbs it commonly modifies. Because it is an adverb of manner, its primary function is to provide more information about the action of the verb. Typically, deprisa is placed immediately after the verb it modifies. This is the most natural and common word order in Spanish. For example, in the sentence 'Él corre deprisa', the adverb directly follows the verb 'corre'.
Syntax and Placement
Adverbs of manner usually follow the verb. Placing it before the verb is rare and usually done for poetic or emphatic reasons.
However, in complex sentences or when adding emphasis, the placement can occasionally shift, though post-verbal placement remains the standard rule for learners to follow.

Conducía muy deprisa por la autopista vacía.

It is also important to know how to use deprisa in negative commands and requests, which are very common in everyday conversation. When you want someone to slow down, you will often use the negative imperative form combined with an adverb of degree. The word tan (so) is frequently paired with deprisa to express an excessive or surprising amount of speed.

¿Por qué comes tan deprisa? Te va a doler el estómago.

Another critical aspect of using deprisa is understanding its interaction with verbs of motion and communication. Verbs like ir (to go), caminar (to walk), correr (to run), hablar (to speak), and leer (to read) are its most frequent companions.
Verbs of Communication
When paired with verbs like hablar or leer, deprisa indicates a rapid rate of speech or reading, which can sometimes impede comprehension.
For Spanish learners, asking native speakers to adjust their speaking speed is a vital survival skill.

Por favor, no hable tan deprisa, todavía estoy aprendiendo español.

This specific usage highlights the practical necessity of the word in language acquisition. Furthermore, deprisa can be used in comparative and superlative structures. To say 'faster', you use 'más deprisa'. To say 'as fast as', you use 'tan deprisa como'.

Tienes que trabajar más deprisa para terminar a tiempo.

It is also worth noting the phrase 'de prisa', written as two words. While 'deprisa' is the preferred spelling according to modern orthographic rules, 'de prisa' is still grammatically correct and widely understood.
Orthographic Variations
Both 'deprisa' and 'de prisa' are valid, but 'deprisa' is recommended by the RAE for modern usage.
When writing, sticking to the single-word format is generally safer and looks more contemporary. Finally, deprisa is often used in idiomatic expressions like 'deprisa y corriendo', which means doing something hastily and carelessly.

Hizo el examen deprisa y corriendo, y por eso suspendió.

By mastering these various syntactic structures, common verb pairings, and idiomatic uses, learners can deploy the word deprisa with the confidence and accuracy of a native speaker.
The adverb deprisa is ubiquitous in the Spanish-speaking world, echoing through the bustling streets of major cities, the tense environments of workplaces, and the casual conversations of daily life. You will hear it most frequently in urban centers like Madrid, Mexico City, or Buenos Aires, where the pace of life naturally dictates a vocabulary of speed and urgency. In these environments, public transportation, traffic, and tight schedules force people to move and act quickly.
Urban Commuting
A primary context for this word. People use it to describe the speed of trains, buses, or the necessity to walk quickly to catch them.
If you are navigating the metro system, you might hear a parent urging a child to keep up.

Camina más deprisa que vamos a perder el tren.

The workplace is another common domain for this word. Deadlines, meetings, and productivity metrics often require employees to work at a fast pace. Bosses might request tasks to be completed quickly, or colleagues might complain about the rushed nature of a project.

El jefe quiere que terminemos el informe muy deprisa.

Sports and physical activities also heavily feature the word deprisa. Coaches yelling instructions to athletes, commentators describing a fast-paced football match, or friends going for a jog will all utilize this adverb to discuss physical speed.
Sports Commentary
Used to describe the rapid movement of players or the ball, adding excitement and energy to the broadcast.

El delantero corrió muy deprisa y marcó un gol espectacular.

Beyond physical movement, you will frequently hear deprisa in the context of language learning and communication. As mentioned earlier, native speakers of Spanish are often perceived by learners as speaking very fast. The request to slow down is a universal experience for students of the language.

Los andaluces a veces hablan tan deprisa que me cuesta entenderlos.

In popular culture, such as movies, television shows, and music, deprisa is used to convey emotional intensity. A dramatic scene might feature a character driving recklessly fast, or a romantic song might describe a heart beating rapidly.
Emotional Contexts
Deprisa is not just physical; it describes the rapid onset of emotions, like falling in love or feeling sudden fear.

Mi corazón late deprisa cada vez que te veo.

Finally, you will hear it in proverbs and cultural sayings that reflect on the nature of time and patience. The Spanish culture values taking time to do things right, which is reflected in warnings against doing things too quickly. The phrase 'Vísteme despacio que tengo prisa' (Dress me slowly, I'm in a hurry) perfectly encapsulates the cultural wisdom that rushing often leads to mistakes, highlighting the complex relationship Spanish speakers have with the concept of doing things deprisa.
When learning to use the adverb deprisa, Spanish students frequently encounter several common pitfalls. The most prevalent mistake is confusing its grammatical role, specifically treating it as an adjective rather than an adverb. Because English often uses the word 'fast' as both an adjective (a fast car) and an adverb (he runs fast), English speakers tend to apply the same logic to Spanish. However, deprisa is strictly an adverb.
Adjective vs. Adverb Confusion
Using deprisa to modify a noun is grammatically incorrect. You must use the adjective 'rápido' or 'veloz' instead.
For instance, a student might incorrectly say 'Tengo un coche deprisa' instead of the correct 'Tengo un coche rápido'.

Incorrecto: Es un tren deprisa. Correcto: Es un tren rápido.

Another widespread error involves gender and number agreement. Because Spanish adjectives must agree with the nouns they modify in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural), learners sometimes try to pluralize or change the gender of deprisa. You will never see the words 'deprisos' or 'deprisas'. It remains constant regardless of the subject.

Ellas corren muy deprisa. (Not deprisas)

A third common mistake is related to spelling and orthography. Historically, the word was written as two separate words: de prisa. While this two-word form is still technically accepted by the Royal Spanish Academy, the single-word form, deprisa, is the modern standard and is strongly preferred.
Spelling Errors
Writing 'de prisa' is not strictly wrong, but writing 'deprisa' is the universally recommended standard in modern Spanish.
Mixing up the spelling or adding unnecessary accents (like 'deprísa') are minor but noticeable errors.

Siempre escribo deprisa en una sola palabra.

Furthermore, learners often overuse deprisa when another word might be more precise. While deprisa is excellent for physical speed or rushing, the adverb 'pronto' is better for expressing that something will happen 'soon' in time. For example, saying 'Vuelvo deprisa' means 'I am returning at a fast physical speed', whereas 'Vuelvo pronto' means 'I will return soon'.

Terminó la tarea muy deprisa, pero la entregará pronto.

Lastly, pronunciation mistakes can occur. The emphasis in deprisa falls on the penultimate syllable (de-PRI-sa). Some learners mistakenly stress the first or last syllable, which can sound unnatural to native ears.
Pronunciation Stress
The stress is on the 'pri' syllable. Ensure you do not stress the 'de' or the 'sa'.

Escucha cómo pronuncio deprisa con el acento en la i.

By being aware of these common mistakes—adjective confusion, agreement errors, spelling preferences, semantic nuances with 'pronto', and correct pronunciation—learners can significantly improve their accuracy and sound much more natural when expressing speed and urgency in Spanish.
The Spanish language offers a rich variety of vocabulary to express speed, urgency, and rapidity. While deprisa is one of the most common and versatile adverbs for this purpose, understanding its synonyms and related terms allows learners to express themselves with greater precision and stylistic variety. The most immediate synonym that comes to mind is rápidamente.
Rápidamente
The direct adverbial form of the adjective rápido. It is highly interchangeable with deprisa but can sound slightly more formal or literal regarding physical velocity.
Rápidamente is formed by adding the suffix -mente to the feminine form of the adjective rápida. It is used extensively in both spoken and written Spanish.

El bombero actuó rápidamente, o mejor dicho, muy deprisa.

Another very common alternative is simply using the word rápido as an adverb. While traditionally an adjective, in modern, colloquial Spanish, rápido is frequently used adverbially to mean 'fast'. However, in strict formal writing, deprisa or rápidamente are often preferred.

Ven rápido, o ven deprisa, pero ven ya.

When the speed is associated with a sense of rushing, anxiety, or lack of preparation, the word apresuradamente is an excellent choice.
Apresuradamente
Implies doing something with haste, often clumsily or because one is running out of time. It carries a stronger emotional weight than deprisa.
This word paints a picture of someone scrambling to finish a task.

Recogió sus cosas apresuradamente y salió muy deprisa de la habitación.

For literary or highly descriptive contexts, the word velozmente can be used. Derived from the adjective veloz (swift/fast), it emphasizes sheer physical speed and agility, often used to describe animals, vehicles, or heroic actions.

El águila descendió velozmente, mucho más deprisa que cualquier otro pájaro.

Another nuanced synonym is precipitadamente, which means precipitously or hastily. This word specifically implies that an action was done too quickly, without sufficient thought or planning, often leading to a negative outcome.
Precipitadamente
Focuses on the rashness or recklessness of the speed. It is a critical word used when speed causes mistakes.

Tomó la decisión precipitadamente, actuando demasiado deprisa.

Finally, the phrase a toda prisa is a very common idiomatic alternative to deprisa. It translates roughly to 'at full speed' or 'in a great hurry'. It is highly expressive and frequently used in conversational Spanish to emphasize extreme urgency. By learning these alternatives—rápidamente, rápido, apresuradamente, velozmente, precipitadamente, and a toda prisa—students can elevate their Spanish from basic communication to nuanced, expressive fluency, choosing the exact word that fits the context, register, and emotional tone of their message.

How Formal Is It?

Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

Adverbs of manner

Invariability of adverbs

Comparative structures (más + adverb)

Negative imperative commands

Adverbs of degree (muy, demasiado, tan)

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Exemples par niveau

1

Yo camino deprisa.

I walk fast.

Deprisa modifies the verb camino.

2

El tren va muy deprisa.

The train goes very fast.

Use 'muy' to amplify the adverb.

3

Por favor, no hables deprisa.

Please, don't speak fast.

Negative imperative with deprisa.

4

Ella come deprisa.

She eats quickly.

Deprisa follows the verb come.

5

Los niños corren deprisa.

The children run fast.

Deprisa is invariable; it doesn't change for plural subjects.

6

Escribe deprisa, por favor.

Write quickly, please.

Used with a command (imperative).

7

El coche rojo va deprisa.

The red car goes fast.

Modifying the verb 'ir'.

8

Yo leo deprisa.

I read fast.

Modifying the verb 'leer'.

1

Ayer caminé muy deprisa.

Yesterday I walked very fast.

Used with the preterite tense.

2

Iba deprisa porque llegaba tarde.

I was going fast because I was running late.

Used with the imperfect tense and giving a reason.

3

Tienes que ir más deprisa.

You have to go faster.

Comparative form 'más deprisa'.

4

No conduzcas tan deprisa.

Don't drive so fast.

Using 'tan' for emphasis in a negative command.

5

Él siempre habla demasiado deprisa.

He always speaks too fast.

Using 'demasiado' to indicate excess.

6

Salimos deprisa de la casa.

We left the house quickly.

Modifying the verb 'salir' in the past.

7

El tiempo pasa muy deprisa.

Time passes very quickly.

A common expression about time.

8

¿Por qué vas tan deprisa?

Why are you going so fast?

Used in an interrogative sentence.

1

Te aconsejo que no vayas tan deprisa.

I advise you not to go so fast.

Used with the present subjunctive.

2

Hizo el examen deprisa y corriendo.

He did the exam hastily and carelessly.

Common idiomatic expression.

3

Me agobia cuando la gente camina muy deprisa.

It overwhelms me when people walk very fast.

Expressing emotions related to speed.

4

Si vas más deprisa, llegaremos a tiempo.

If you go faster, we will arrive on time.

First conditional sentence structure.

5

Aunque iba deprisa, perdió el autobús.

Even though he was going fast, he missed the bus.

Used with the concessive conjunction 'aunque'.

6

El corazón le latía deprisa por el susto.

His heart was beating fast from the scare.

Describing physical reactions to emotion.

7

Necesitamos terminar este proyecto lo más deprisa posible.

We need to finish this project as quickly as possible.

Superlative-like structure 'lo más... posible'.

8

No me gusta vivir tan deprisa.

I don't like living so fast.

Philosophical use regarding lifestyle.

1

La inflación está subiendo muy deprisa este año.

Inflation is rising very fast this year.

Used metaphorically to describe economic rates.

2

Si hubieras ido más deprisa, no habríamos perdido el vuelo.

If you had gone faster, we wouldn't have missed the flight.

Third conditional with past perfect subjunctive.

3

Actuó demasiado deprisa, sin sopesar las consecuencias.

He acted too quickly, without weighing the consequences.

Advanced vocabulary integration (sopesar).

4

Es imperativo que el gobierno actúe deprisa ante la crisis.

It is imperative that the government acts quickly in the face of the crisis.

Formal subjunctive trigger 'Es imperativo que'.

5

La tecnología avanza tan deprisa que es difícil mantenerse al día.

Technology advances so fast that it's hard to keep up.

Consecutive clause 'tan... que'.

6

Se vistió deprisa, consciente de que la reunión ya había empezado.

He dressed quickly, aware that the meeting had already started.

Narrative pacing in complex sentences.

7

Hablaba tan deprisa que sus palabras se atropellaban.

He spoke so fast that his words stumbled over each other.

Descriptive imagery with the verb 'atropellar'.

8

La noticia se difundió deprisa por las redes sociales.

The news spread quickly through social networks.

Used with reflexive/passive structures (se difundió).

1

Deprisa, muy deprisa, se desvanecieron nuestras esperanzas de victoria.

Quickly, very quickly, our hopes of victory vanished.

Fronting the adverb for rhetorical emphasis.

2

La digitalización ha provocado que la información fluya demasiado deprisa.

Digitalization has caused information to flow too fast.

Academic/sociological context.

3

Lejos de calmarse, su respiración se agitaba cada vez más deprisa.

Far from calming down, his breathing became agitated faster and faster.

Advanced narrative description.

4

El mercado inmobiliario se está recuperando deprisa tras el colapso.

The real estate market is recovering quickly after the collapse.

Financial/journalistic register.

5

No por ir más deprisa vas a llegar antes si te equivocas de camino.

Going faster won't make you arrive sooner if you take the wrong path.

Complex idiomatic logic structure.

6

La enfermedad progresó tan deprisa que los médicos no pudieron intervenir.

The disease progressed so fast that the doctors couldn't intervene.

Medical/dramatic context.

7

Vivimos en una sociedad que nos exige ir siempre deprisa, sin pausa.

We live in a society that demands we always go fast, without pause.

Philosophical critique of modern life.

8

Resolvió el intrincado problema matemático asombrosamente deprisa.

She solved the intricate mathematical problem astonishingly fast.

Modified by another complex adverb (asombrosamente).

1

La obsolescencia programada hace que consumamos deprisa y desechemos aún más rápido.

Planned obsolescence makes us consume quickly and discard even faster.

Socio-economic critique using parallel structures.

2

El autor maneja el tempo narrativo magistralmente, haciendo que la trama avance deprisa hacia el clímax.

The author handles the narrative tempo masterfully, making the plot advance quickly toward the climax.

Literary analysis terminology.

3

Aquel imperio, forjado a sangre y fuego, se desmoronó tan deprisa como se había erigido.

That empire, forged in blood and fire, crumbled as quickly as it had been erected.

Historical narrative with poetic phrasing.

4

La transición energética debe acometerse deprisa, pero sin fisuras estructurales.

The energy transition must be undertaken quickly, but without structural flaws.

High-level political/environmental discourse.

5

Sus pensamientos se sucedían tan deprisa que era incapaz de verbalizarlos con coherencia.

His thoughts followed one another so fast that he was incapable of verbalizing them coherently.

Psychological description using reciprocal verbs.

6

El capital golondrina entra y sale de los mercados emergentes demasiado deprisa.

Hot money enters and leaves emerging markets too quickly.

Highly specialized economic jargon.

7

Vísteme despacio que tengo prisa, reza el adagio, advirtiendo contra el actuar deprisa y a ciegas.

Dress me slowly for I am in a hurry, says the adage, warning against acting quickly and blindly.

Integrating proverbs into analytical sentences.

8

La mutación del virus se produjo deprisa, burlando las defensas inmunológicas previamente adquiridas.

The virus mutation occurred quickly, evading previously acquired immune defenses.

Scientific/epidemiological register.

Collocations courantes

ir deprisa
caminar deprisa
hablar deprisa
comer deprisa
conducir deprisa
latir deprisa
demasiado deprisa
muy deprisa
más deprisa
tan deprisa

Phrases Courantes

ir muy deprisa
hacer algo deprisa
leer deprisa
crecer deprisa
pasar deprisa
terminar deprisa
actuar deprisa
caminar más deprisa
hablar demasiado deprisa
conducir muy deprisa

Souvent confondu avec

deprisa vs rápido

deprisa vs pronto

deprisa vs veloz

Expressions idiomatiques

"deprisa y corriendo"
"darse prisa"
"a toda prisa"
"vísteme despacio que tengo prisa"
"correr que se las pela"
"ir a todo gas"
"ir pitando"
"salir disparado"
"ir a toda pastilla"
"ir echando leches"

Facile à confondre

deprisa vs

deprisa vs

deprisa vs

Structures de phrases

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Comment l'utiliser

note

While 'de prisa' (two words) is accepted, 'deprisa' (one word) is the preferred modern spelling.

Erreurs courantes
  • Using deprisa as an adjective (e.g., 'un tren deprisa').
  • Pluralizing it to 'deprisas'.
  • Confusing it with 'pronto' when meaning 'soon'.
  • Mispronouncing the stress on the wrong syllable.
  • Writing it as 'de prisa' when 'deprisa' is preferred.

Astuces

Adverb Rule

Always remember that deprisa modifies verbs. Never use it to describe a thing or a person directly.

Stress the PRI

The accent falls on the second syllable. Say de-PRI-sa, not DE-pri-sa or de-pri-SA.

One Word is Better

While 'de prisa' is okay, get into the habit of writing 'deprisa' as one solid word. It looks more professional.

Asking to Slow Down

If a native speaker is talking too fast, say 'Por favor, hable más despacio', not 'no hable deprisa'.

Learn the Idiom

Memorize 'deprisa y corriendo'. It's a great phrase to describe a rushed, sloppy job.

Más Deprisa

To say faster, just add 'más' before it. 'Necesito que vayas más deprisa'.

Pronto vs Deprisa

Pronto = Soon (time). Deprisa = Fast (speed). Don't mix them up!

Listen for Emotion

When native speakers use 'deprisa', they often speak the word itself quickly to emphasize the urgency.

Narrative Pacing

Use 'deprisa' in your writing to make action scenes feel more urgent and exciting.

The Culture of Haste

Notice how often 'deprisa' is used in big cities compared to small towns in Spanish-speaking countries.

Mémorise-le

Origine du mot

Vulgar Latin

Contexte culturel

In Spain, 'deprisa' is extremely common in daily urban commuting.

In many Latin American countries, 'rápido' is often used colloquially as an adverb instead of 'deprisa', though 'deprisa' is fully understood and used in formal contexts.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"¿Crees que la vida moderna va demasiado deprisa?"

"¿Por qué la gente camina tan deprisa en las grandes ciudades?"

"¿Te gusta conducir deprisa o despacio?"

"¿Hablas deprisa cuando estás nervioso?"

"¿Qué haces cuando tienes que terminar un trabajo muy deprisa?"

Sujets d'écriture

Describe un día en el que tuviste que hacer todo muy deprisa.

¿Sientes que el tiempo pasa más deprisa ahora que cuando eras niño?

Escribe sobre las ventajas y desventajas de vivir deprisa.

¿Qué cosas prefieres hacer despacio y cuáles deprisa?

Narra una situación de emergencia donde alguien actuó muy deprisa.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, that is incorrect. Deprisa is an adverb and cannot modify a noun like 'coche'. You must use an adjective, so the correct phrase is 'un coche rápido'.

Both are technically correct according to the RAE. However, the single-word spelling 'deprisa' is the modern standard and is highly recommended in all forms of writing.

You use the comparative structure 'más + adverb'. So, 'faster' translates to 'más deprisa'. For example, 'Corre más deprisa' means 'Run faster'.

The most common direct opposite is 'despacio' (slowly). Other antonyms include 'lentamente' and 'tranquilamente'.

No. Adverbs in Spanish are invariable. Whether one person is running or ten people are running, it is always 'deprisa'. 'Ellos corren deprisa'.

No, this is a common mistake. If you want to say 'I will be there soon', use 'pronto' (Llegaré pronto). Deprisa strictly refers to the speed of the action, not the proximity in time.

Deprisa is neutral. It is perfectly acceptable in both highly formal written contexts and casual, everyday spoken conversations.

Yes, absolutely. 'Muy deprisa' means 'very fast' and is a very common and grammatically correct combination.

It's a famous proverb meaning 'dress me slowly because I'm in a hurry'. It implies that rushing causes mistakes which ultimately take more time to fix.

Yes, in modern Spanish, 'rápido' is often used as an adverb (e.g., 'corre rápido'). They are largely interchangeable in this context, though 'deprisa' is the traditional adverb.

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