French · Emotions & Descriptions

"Fast" in French: rapide

rapide

Say it: rah-PEEDadjective/ʁa.pid/

Fast in French as an adjective is rapide. Une voiture rapide is a fast car. The adverb often used in speech is vite: cours vite.

Metro advice

Prends la ligne B, c'est plus rapide.
Take line B; it's faster.
Practice French out loud

Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free

How to pronounce rapide

Say it

rah-PEED

/ʁa.pid/

rah-PEED. Clear ee in -ide; final e is light. Plural rapides adds an s you usually do not hear.

"Fast" in French: quick reference

FrenchEnglish
rapidefast / quick

Adjective.

trop rapidetoo fast

Speed complaint.

plus rapidefaster

Comparison.

vitequickly / fast

Common adverb.

How to use rapide in real life

  1. 1Metro advice

    Prends la ligne B, c'est plus rapide.

    Take line B; it's faster.

    Plus rapide.

  2. 2Driving

    Cette route est trop rapide pour les vélos.

    This road is too fast for bikes.

    Trop rapide.

  3. 3App review

    Le service est rapide et simple.

    The service is fast and simple.

    Service rapide.

Mistakes English speakers make with rapide

Incorrect: Il court rapide.

Correct: Il court vite. / Il est rapide.

As an adverb of manner, prefer vite; rapide is the adjective.

Incorrect: Une train rapide.

Correct: Un train rapide.

Train is masculine: un train rapide.

Good to know

Train names like TGV lean on the idea of rapide. In speech, vite covers most everyday fast actions.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Choosing a delivery option

  1. ChatPal

    Tu veux l'option rapide ?

    Do you want the fast option?

  2. You

    Oui, la plus rapide, même si ça coûte plus.

    Yes, the fastest, even if it costs more.

  3. ChatPal

    OK, je clique.

    OK, I'll click.

  4. You

    Merci.

    Thanks.

This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.

Practice this conversation in ChatPal

"Fast" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Fast" in French

How do you say fast in French?

Rapide (adjective); vite is the everyday adverb.

How do you say faster?

Plus rapide / plus vite.

Rapide vs vite?

Rapide describes a noun; vite modifies a verb.

How do you pronounce rapide?

rah-PEED.

Learn a word, then use it out loud

  1. Step 1: See it in context
  2. Step 2: Say it out loud
  3. Step 3: Get feedback
  4. Step 4: Use it in real scenarios

Keep reading

Ready to say it out loud?

ChatPal is a voice-first app for practicing real conversations in French. Try real scenarios and get personalized feedback on your speaking.

Start with 7 days free.