Understanding "赶快" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 赶快
• Pinyin: gǎnkuài
• Literal Meaning: “hurry” + “fast/quick”
• Primary Meaning: quickly; at once; hurry up and (do something)

2. In-depth Explanation

• Context and Usage: 赶快 is an adverb used when someone should act right away. It often appears in spoken Chinese, especially in commands, suggestions, and reminders: “Hurry up and…,” “Do it now,” or “Don’t delay.” The tone can be urgent, helpful, or mildly impatient, depending on context. It usually comes before the verb: 赶快 + verb. It is close in meaning to 赶紧 (gǎnjǐn). 赶快 and 赶紧 both urge prompt action; 赶忙 (gǎnmáng) is more often used in narration to describe someone who already acted in a hurry, and is less common as a direct command.
• Character Breakdown: 赶 (gǎn) means to hurry, rush, or catch up. 快 (kuài) means fast or quick. Together they intensify the idea of speed and immediacy: not just “fast,” but “do it without delay.”

3. Example Sentences

• Chinese: 赶快走吧，电影快开始了。
• Pinyin: Gǎnkuài zǒu ba, diànyǐng kuài kāishǐ le.

• English: Hurry up and go—the movie is about to start.

• Chinese: 外面下雨了，赶快把衣服收进来。

• Pinyin: Wàimiàn xià yǔ le, gǎnkuài bǎ yīfu shōu jìnlái.

• English: It’s raining outside—quickly bring the clothes in.

• Chinese: 你赶快给妈妈打个电话，她很担心你。

• Pinyin: Nǐ gǎnkuài gěi māma dǎ ge diànhuà, tā hěn dānxīn nǐ.
• English: Call your mom right away; she’s very worried about you.

Cultural Notes (if applicable)

赶快 is everyday spoken Chinese rather than formal writing. Chinese speakers often use it with family, friends, and colleagues to push someone to act before a deadline, a missed chance, or a small problem gets worse. The urgency is usually practical—catching a bus, finishing homework, answering a call—not dramatic. Softeners such as 吧 (ba) can make the urge sound friendlier: 赶快走吧 sounds more like “Let’s get going” than a sharp order.

Conclusion

Remember 赶快 (gǎnkuài) as “hurry up and do it now.” Place it before the verb when you want to urge quick action, especially in spoken reminders and commands.

Sources and Further Reading

• MDBG Chinese Dictionary: 赶快
• Wiktionary: 赶快
• HSK vocabulary reference dataset

Dictionary links are provided for independent reference. Example sentences and learning notes on this page are educational explanations rather than dictionary quotations.