Rápido vs. veloz

This article will explore the differences between the Spanish words 'rápido' and 'veloz', both of which mean 'fast' or 'quick' but are used in different contexts.

Rápido

'Rápido' generally means 'quick' or 'fast'. It is a common adjective used in everyday language to describe something that happens quickly or someone who does something in a short amount of time.
El chico corrió muy rápido para alcanzar el autobús.
(The boy ran very fast to catch the bus.)
Necesito una respuesta rápida a mi pregunta.
(I need a quick answer to my question.)
El tren de alta velocidad es muy rápido.
(The high-speed train is very fast.)

Veloz

'Veloz' also means 'fast', but it often implies a greater speed and is slightly more formal or less frequent in colloquial speech. It is typically used to describe things that inherently move very fast or with great efficiency.
Ese atleta es increíblemente veloz.
(That athlete is incredibly fast.)
El guepardo es uno de los animales más veloces del mundo.
(The cheetah is one of the fastest animals in the world.)
Usamos un software veloz para procesar los datos.
(We use fast software to process the data.)

Summary

While both 'rápido' and 'veloz' translate to 'fast' or 'quick', 'rápido' is more commonly used in everyday situations to describe general quickness or speed. In contrast, 'veloz' suggests an exceptional speed and tends to appear in more formal or specific contexts, often describing things known for their quickness.