About
The character "快" originally conveyed the sense of swiftness or rapidity, a meaning derived from its structural composition which combines the radical for "heart" or "mind" (心) with a phonetic component (夬) that also suggests decisiveness or a breakthrough. This connection to the mental faculty implied a quickness of perception or spirit, an agility of thought that preceded its application to physical speed. Over time, its semantic field broadened significantly; while retaining its core meaning of rapidity, it developed the common metaphorical extension to describe pleasure or happiness, as in feeling "glad" or "pleased", conceptually linking the swift lifting of one's spirits to a sudden, positive emotional state. This dual meaning of both physical quickness and mental delight has been consistently maintained in the character's long usage, demonstrating how an abstract concept of mental celerity can anchor two seemingly distinct but intuitively connected ideas.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
快点过来！
我今天很快乐。
火车跑得真快。
快递员送来了包裹。
你快把作业写完。
时间过得快极了。
祝你生日快乐！
快点起床，不然就要迟到了。