In 15 Seconds
- Means lightning fast or moving like it is flying.
- Used for physical speed and rapid personal progress.
- Combines 'fly' and 'fast' for a vivid, energetic description.
Meaning
Imagine something moving so fast it looks like it's flying. This phrase describes speed that is impressive, sudden, or almost blurry to the eye.
Key Examples
3 of 6Watching a sports car pass by
那辆车开得飞快。
That car is driving lightning fast.
Talking about a productive colleague
他打字的速度飞快。
His typing speed is incredibly fast.
Texting a friend about time
时间过得飞快，周末结束了。
Time flew by; the weekend is over.
Cultural Background
The concept of 'flying speed' is deeply rooted in Chinese mythology and martial arts (Wuxia). It suggests a level of mastery where movement becomes effortless and transcendent. Today, it perfectly mirrors China's rapid urban development and technological leaps.
The 'De' Helper
When using `飞快` with a verb, don't forget `得` (de). Say `跑得飞快` (pǎo de fēikuài) to describe how someone runs.
The Power of Fly
In Chinese, adding 'fly' (飞) to adjectives often boosts them to the max level. It is like adding 'super' or 'mega' in English.
In 15 Seconds
- Means lightning fast or moving like it is flying.
- Used for physical speed and rapid personal progress.
- Combines 'fly' and 'fast' for a vivid, energetic description.
What It Means
飞快 is all about extreme speed. It combines the word for 'fly' with 'fast'. Think of a bullet train or a sprinter. It is more intense than just saying 很快. It implies a sense of momentum. You use it when speed is the main highlight.
How To Use It
You usually place it before a verb. Or you use it after a verb with the helper word 得. For example, 飞快地跑 means running lightning fast. If you say 进步飞快, you mean someone is improving at warp speed. It works great for physical movement and abstract progress. Keep your sentences short for maximum impact.
When To Use It
Use it when you are genuinely impressed. Use it when texting a friend about how fast the weekend went. It is perfect for describing cars, runners, or even your heartbeat. In a meeting, use it to praise a team's efficiency. It adds a bit of flavor to your descriptions. It makes you sound more like a native speaker than just using 很.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for slow, steady things. Don't use it for things that are just 'efficient' but not 'fast'. Avoid using it in very dry, legal documents. It has a slightly descriptive, almost cinematic feel. If you are talking about a slow turtle, this is not your word. Unless you are being sarcastic, of course!
Cultural Background
Chinese culture values efficiency and 'flying' speed. The character 飞 (fly) is often associated with dragons and success. In the modern era, this phrase is everywhere. It reflects the fast-paced life in cities like Shanghai or Beijing. Everything is 飞快 there, from delivery bikes to internet speeds. It captures the energy of a country on the move.
Common Variations
You might hear 飞速 in more formal news reports. In slang, people might use 贼快 in Northern China. But 飞快 is the gold standard for daily use. It is safe, common, and very effective. You can also double it up as 飞快飞快 for extra emphasis with friends. Just don't overdo the doubling in a job interview!
Usage Notes
The phrase is highly versatile and fits almost any situation from casual chats to news reports. It is most effective when you want to add a vivid, visual element to the speed you are describing.
The 'De' Helper
When using `飞快` with a verb, don't forget `得` (de). Say `跑得飞快` (pǎo de fēikuài) to describe how someone runs.
The Power of Fly
In Chinese, adding 'fly' (飞) to adjectives often boosts them to the max level. It is like adding 'super' or 'mega' in English.
Don't over-fly
If someone is just walking a bit fast, `飞快` is too much. Use `挺快` (tǐng kuài) instead so you don't sound dramatic.
Examples
6那辆车开得飞快。
That car is driving lightning fast.
Uses 'de' structure to describe the action of driving.
他打字的速度飞快。
His typing speed is incredibly fast.
Focuses on the noun 'speed' followed by the adjective.
时间过得飞快，周末结束了。
Time flew by; the weekend is over.
A very common way to complain about short holidays.
我的心跳得飞快。
My heart is beating incredibly fast.
Used to describe physical sensations of anxiety or excitement.
你吃饭的速度真是飞快啊！
You sure eat at lightning speed!
Can be a lighthearted observation among friends.
你的汉语进步飞快！
Your Chinese is improving at warp speed!
A high compliment for someone's learning pace.
Test Yourself
Choose the best word to describe a sprinter winning a race.
他跑得___，拿了第一名。
`飞快` matches the context of winning a race through speed.
How do you say time is passing quickly?
时间过得___。
`过得飞快` is the standard collocation for time flying by.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 飞快
Used with friends to talk about time or food.
时间飞快！
Standard daily use in most situations.
进步飞快。
Used in reports to describe growth.
经济增长飞快。
When to use 飞快
Transportation
高铁飞快
Personal Growth
进步飞快
Time passing
时间飞快
Physical Action
跑得飞快
Practice Bank
2 exercises他跑得___，拿了第一名。
`飞快` matches the context of winning a race through speed.
时间过得___。
`过得飞快` is the standard collocation for time flying by.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt literally means 'fly-fast'. It combines 飞 (fēi, to fly) and 快 (kuài, fast) to describe speed that is almost airborne.
Not directly. You wouldn't say a person is 飞快, but you can say their brain works 反应飞快 (reacts lightning fast).
Yes, it is neutral. You can use it to describe 进步飞快 (rapid progress) or 发展飞快 (rapid development) in a professional setting.
很快 is just 'very fast'. 飞快 is much more descriptive and emphasizes an extreme or impressive level of speed.
Only if you are being sarcastic! If a car is crawling, saying it is 飞快 would be a joke.
Yes, in some regions people say 贼快 (zéi kuài), which is very informal and means 'thief-fast' or 'insanely fast'.
Yes, 飞快 is a set word. You cannot just use 飞 by itself to mean fast in most contexts.
You can use it for physical reactions to emotions, like 心跳飞快 (heart beating fast), but not for the emotion itself.
It is very common in both! You will see it in novels to describe action and hear it in daily conversation.
Forgetting the particle 得 when following a verb. Remember: Verb + 得 + 飞快.
Related Phrases
很快 (Very fast)
迅速 (Rapid/Prompt)
飞速 (At high speed)
极快 (Extremely fast)
火速 (At top speed/Urgent)
