Translation guide
The concept of quickness in English can refer to speed of action, mental agility, or the short duration of an event. In Japanese, different words and expressions are used depending on the nuance.
Describing how fast someone or something moves or acts.
The most direct translation for physical speed or quickness. Used for both people and objects.
彼の走る速さには驚いた。
I was surprised by the quickness of his running.
Emphasizes nimbleness or agility, often for physical movements.
猫の素早さに感心した。
I was impressed by the cat's quickness.
Formal term for swiftness, often used in business or official contexts.
対応の迅速さが求められる。
Quickness of response is required.
Describing how quickly someone thinks, understands, or reacts intellectually.
Literally 'speed of mental rotation', a common phrase for mental quickness.
彼は頭の回転の速さで知られている。
He is known for his quickness of mind.
Quick-wittedness, resourcefulness in a pinch.
彼女の機転で問題が解決した。
Her quick thinking solved the problem.
Sharpness or clarity of mind, often used in phrases like 頭の冴え.
Describing something happening in a short time or without delay.
Used for temporal quickness, earliness, or promptness. Note the different kanji from physical speed (速さ).
仕事の早さに上司が驚いた。
The boss was surprised by the quickness of the work.
Quickness in performing a task, often manual work.
彼の料理の手早さはプロ並みだ。
His quickness in cooking is on a professional level.
速さ (hayasa) refers to physical speed, while 早さ (hayasa) refers to temporal quickness or earliness. They are pronounced the same but written with different kanji. When in doubt, hiragana はやさ can be used for both, but the distinction is important in writing.
The English noun 'quickness' often sounds unnatural if directly translated into Japanese as a noun. In many cases, it's better to use an adjective (速い, 早い) or adverb (速く, 早く) instead. For example, 'the quickness of his response' is more naturally expressed as 彼の返事が早かった (His reply was quick).
The quickness of mind in the morning is exceptional.