Rápidamente vs. rápido vs. deprisa
In Spanish, the words 'rápidamente', 'rápido', and 'deprisa' all pertain to speed or quickness, but they have different nuances and usages. Here is a breakdown of their meanings and examples to illustrate their proper usage.
Rápidamente
Rápidamente means 'quickly' or 'rapidly'. It is an adverb that describes how an action is performed.
Ella terminó sus deberes rápidamente.
(She finished her homework quickly.)
El coche aceleró rápidamente.
(The car accelerated rapidly.)
Rápido
'Rápido' can function both as an adjective and an adverb. As an adjective, it means 'fast' or 'quick'. As an adverb (often used in colloquial speech), it means 'quickly'.
El tren es muy rápido.
(The train is very fast.)
Hazlo rápido.
(Do it quickly.)
Deprisa
'Deprisa' is an adverb that means 'in a hurry' or 'quickly'. It emphasizes haste, often implying urgency or a lack of time.
Camina deprisa para no llegar tarde.
(Walk quickly so you don't arrive late.)
Tuve que comer deprisa para no perder el autobús.
(I had to eat quickly so I wouldn't miss the bus.)
Summary
'Rápidamente', 'rápido', and 'deprisa' are used to express speed in Spanish, but they have different contexts. 'Rápidamente' is an adverb meaning quickly. 'Rápido' can be both an adjective meaning fast and an adverb meaning quickly. 'Deprisa' is another adverb implying urgency or haste. Understanding their specific uses will help you convey the right sense of speed in your communication.