adjective

  1. quick, swift, nimble, agile.
  2. quick (understanding, judgment, etc.), alert, prompt.

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
 
素早い すばやい
 
素速い すばやい
 
 
す早い すばやい
 
 
す速い すばやい

Contained Kanji Breakdown

elementary, principle, naked
ス ソ もと (5th, N1)
life (生) variant
thread
いと シ (1st, N2)
short thread radical (no. 52)
ヨウ ちいさい (Kentei 1)
little, small
ショウ こ- ちい.さい (1st, N5)
feathered stick, barb radical (no. 6)
ケツ かぎ (Kentei 1)
eight, eight radical (no. 12)
ハチ や はっ (1st, N5)
early, fast
はや.い サッ ソウ (1st, N4)
day, sun, Japan
ひ にっ ニチ (1st, N5)
ten
ジュウ ジッ ジュッ (1st, N5)