Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Fast" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "fast", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
速い
はやい (hayai)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
早い
はやい (hayai)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "fast" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 速い and 早い.
In Japanese, 速い (はやい (hayai)) is typically associated with "fast, quick" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents An i-adjective used to describe speed.
On the other hand, 早い (はやい (hayai)) maps to "fast; early" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents An い-adjective. Can describe speed. A literal translation of "fast" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "速い"
この電車はとても速い。
This train is very fast.
Bilingual Context for "早い"
彼は走るのが早いです。
He runs fast.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "この電車はとても ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "This train is very fast.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "速い" fits here because it means "fast, quick" in the context of: "This train is very fast.". "早い" represents "fast; early".