fast
fast — 形容詞
1. achieving high speed or done in little time — a fast athlete moves quickly, a fa
快速的
移動或發生速度很快的
achieving high speed or done in little time — a fast athlete moves quickly, a fast process finishes swiftly, and a fast answer comes without delay.
Tuan took a fast train from Taipei to Kaohsiung that reached over 250 km/h.
Tuan 從台北搭高速列車到高雄，時速超過 250 公里。
fast + noun describing a physical object
The company saw fast growth in its first year of business.
這家公司在第一年營業中就出現了快速的成長。
Eli is the fastest runner on the school team and wins every race.
Eli 是學校隊上跑得最快的選手，每場比賽都贏。
Maeve needed a fast answer, so she called instead of sending an email.
Maeve 需要一個快速的答覆，所以她打電話而不是寄 email。
Christopher made a fast recovery after breaking his arm in the fall.
Christopher 摔斷手臂後，恢復得很快。
- quick
very similar in meaning; 'quick' often emphasises short duration ('quick shower') while 'fast' emphasises high speed ('fast car')
- rapid
more formal than 'fast'; commonly used with processes and changes ('rapid population growth')
- swift
slightly more literary; suggests smooth, effortless speed ('swift response')
- speedy
informal; focuses on completion without delay ('speedy delivery')
- slow
the direct opposite for speed and duration
文法句型
fast + noun (car, train, growth)
be + fast
用法筆記
This is the most common sense of 'fast' and applies to physical speed (vehicles, people), rate of change (growth, progress), and short duration (response, recovery).
常見錯誤
❌ 'He is a fast learner' (acceptably correct) — note that 'fast' here describes the person's ability, not their physical speed.
2. used when a timepiece gives a reading that is ahead of the actual moment — for i
偏快
鐘錶顯示的時間比實際時間早的
used when a timepiece gives a reading that is ahead of the actual moment — for instance, a clock showing 8:03 when the real time is 8:00 is said to be three minutes fast.
Sade's watch is five minutes fast, so she always arrives early for class.
Sade 的手錶快了五分鐘，所以她總是提早到教室。
number + minutes/hours + fast
Erik noticed the classroom clock was fast and told the teacher about it.
Erik 發現教室的時鐘偏快，便告訴了老師。
If your phone clock is fast, you might show up before the movie starts.
如果你的手機時鐘偏快，你可能會在電影開演前就到場。
The timer on the oven runs fast, so Camila set it ten minutes behind.
烤箱的定時器跑得比較快，所以 Camila 把它調慢了十分鐘。
- ahead
less common for clocks; 'the clock is ahead' means the same but is much rarer
- slow
showing a time earlier than the correct time
文法句型
clock / watch + be + fast
run + amount + fast
用法筆記
Only used for timekeeping devices (clocks, watches, timers). Not used for calendars or schedules. The opposite is 'slow'.
常見錯誤
3. describing photographic film or camera equipment that responds well in dim condi
高速的
底片或相機鏡頭在低光源下仍能清晰拍攝的
describing photographic film or camera equipment that responds well in dim conditions, allowing you to capture sharp images even with little illumination or of subjects that are moving.
Hiro bought fast film for taking pictures at the indoor concert.
Hiro 買了高速底片，用來在室內演唱會上拍照。
fast + film
A fast lens helps you take clear photos in low light without a flash.
高速鏡頭能讓你在光線不足時不開閃光燈也能拍出清晰照片。
fast + lens
Sports photographers use fast shutter speeds to capture moving athletes.
運動攝影師使用高速快門來捕捉正在移動的運動員。
The camera's fast sensor captured each feather on the flying bird.
這台相機的高速感光元件捕捉到了飛鳥的每一根羽毛。
- high-speed
slightly broader; 'high-speed film' and 'fast film' are interchangeable
- sensitive
describes the light sensitivity directly but is less specific to photography than 'fast'
- slow
slow film or slow lens requires more light
文法句型
fast + noun (film, lens, shutter)
用法筆記
Mainly used in photography contexts. A 'fast' lens has a wide aperture (small f-number) that lets in more light. 'Fast' film has a high ISO number.
4. full of quick action, excitement, and rapid changes; describing an experience, p
快節奏的
充滿速度感與刺激變化的
full of quick action, excitement, and rapid changes; describing an experience, place, or activity that feels energetic and never slows down.
Sumin enjoys fast action movies with car chases and fight scenes.
Sumin 喜歡節奏明快的動作片，裡面有飛車追逐和打鬥場面。
fast + action movie / pace
Life in a big city is fast and can feel stressful at first.
大城市的生活步調很快，一開始會讓人感到壓力。
be + fast describing lifestyle
The video game's fast pace kept the players focused for many hours.
這款電玩遊戲的快節奏讓玩家好幾個小時都全神貫注。
Élise loves the fast atmosphere of the newsroom where she works.
Élise 很喜歡她工作的報社裡那種快節奏的氣氛。
- lively
positive and less intense; suggests enjoyable energy rather than pressure ('lively discussion')
- hectic
more negative; suggests stressful, chaotic busyness ('hectic schedule')
- high-energy
informal; emphasises excitement and intensity
- slow-paced
describes something that moves at a relaxed or leisurely rate
- relaxed
the opposite of a fast, stressful environment
文法句型
fast + noun (pace, life, city)
be + fast
用法筆記
Describes experiences, lifestyles, and entertainment — not physical speed of an object. A 'fast movie' means it has lots of action, not that it plays at high speed.
5. living in a way that others consider morally careless, especially by seeking too
放蕩的
缺乏道德約束、過度追求享樂的（已過時）
living in a way that others consider morally careless, especially by seeking too much pleasure or by being sexually unrestrained — this meaning is dated and often sounds disapproving.
The novel tells the story of a fast social crowd in 1920s New York.
這本小說描寫了 1920 年代紐約一群生活放蕩的社交圈。
Evelyn's grandmother warned her about spending time with a fast crowd downtown.
Evelyn 的祖母告誡她不要跟市區那群放蕩的人來往。
fast + crowd / set / life
In old films, a fast woman was a character who broke social rules.
在老電影裡，「放蕩的女人」指的是打破社會規則的角色。
The newspaper described the party as fast and full of wild behaviour.
這家報紙形容那場派對既放蕩又充滿瘋狂的行徑。
- wild
broader and less judgmental; can describe energetic fun without moral criticism ('wild party')
- promiscuous
specifically about sexual behaviour; more clinical and neutral in tone
- dissolute
formal and literary; describes someone who lives without moral restraint
文法句型
fast + noun (crowd, woman, life)
用法筆記
This sense is dated and carries a strong disapproving tone. Avoid using it to describe people directly in modern conversation — it can sound rude or judgmental. Limited mostly to historical or literary contexts.
常見錯誤
6. used for a dye or pigment that stays in the fabric it was applied to, so it does
不褪色的
布料顏色在清洗或日曬後不會脫落的
used for a dye or pigment that stays in the fabric it was applied to, so it does not run, fade, or wash away when the item is cleaned or left in the sun.
Camila checked the label to see if the red dress was colour-fast.
Camila 檢查了標籤，確認這件紅色洋裝是否不褪色。
compound: colour-fast
The dye on these jeans is fast, so you can wash them with other clothes.
這條牛仔褲的染料不褪色，所以你可以和其他衣服一起洗。
Cyrus bought a rug with colours that stay fast even in bright sunlight.
Cyrus 買了一張即使在強烈陽光下顏色仍保持不褪的地毯。
Always wash new dark clothes in cold water until the colour is fast.
在新的深色衣服顏色確定不褪之前，最好用冷水單獨洗。
- colour-safe
a commercial term; 'colour-safe bleach' won't damage fast colours but the term isn't used for the fabric itself
- fade-resistant
more modern and specific; commonly used for outdoor fabrics ('fade-resistant paint')
- fading
losing colour over time
文法句型
colour / dye + be + fast
用法筆記
Often used in the hyphenated compound 'colour-fast' (or 'color-fast' in American English). Common on clothing labels and washing instructions. The opposite is 'the colour runs'.
7. securely attached or held in position; not easily moved, loosened, or changed —
牢固的
固定得很穩、不易移動或鬆脫的
securely attached or held in position; not easily moved, loosened, or changed — often used for physical objects that are stuck or tied firmly.
The cupboard door was fast and would not open no matter how hard Liam pushed.
那扇舊櫥櫃的門卡得很牢，不管 Liam 怎麼推都打不開。
be + fast describing a stuck object
The painter made sure the ladder was fast before climbing to the roof.
油漆工先確認梯子很牢固，才爬上屋頂。
During the storm, all the windows were checked to make sure they were fast.
暴風雨期間，他們檢查了所有窗戶是否都關緊牢固了。
Padma tied a double knot to keep the rope fast around the tree trunk.
Padma 打了雙結，讓繩子在樹幹上牢牢固定住。
- secure
broader; can describe safety from danger as well as firm attachment ('secure knot')
- firm
general-purpose; used for both physical and figurative stability ('firm grip')
- tight
suggests physical pressure keeping something in place ('tight lid')
- stuck
informal; emphasises that something cannot be moved ('stuck window')
文法句型
be + fast
hold + object + fast
stick + fast
用法筆記
Frequently paired with verbs such as 'hold', 'stick', 'stay', 'keep', and 'make'. In the phrase 'hold fast', 'fast' can be read as an adverb describing how the holding is done — the boundary between adjective and adverb is blurry in this sense.
常見錯誤
fast — 副詞
1. at great speed; in a way that takes very little time — for example, running fast
快速地
以很快的速度
at great speed; in a way that takes very little time — for example, running fast, driving fast, or learning fast.
The children ran as fast as they could to catch the school bus.
孩子們盡可能快速地跑著，趕上了校車。
as fast as + clause
Evelyn learns fast and finished the training course in just two weeks.
Evelyn 學得很快，只花了兩週就完成了培訓課程。
verb + fast (learn, work, think)
Please drive as fast as you safely can — we are already late.
請在安全範圍內盡快開——我們已經遲到了。
Karim's heart was beating fast after the run up the steep hill.
Karim 爬上那座陡峭的山丘後，心跳得非常快。
- slowly
at a low speed; taking a long time
文法句型
verb + fast
as fast as
用法筆記
The adverb form of 'fast' is identical to the adjective — there is no word 'fastly'. Use 'fast' after action verbs (run, drive, work, learn, grow).
常見錯誤
2. in a firmly fixed or securely attached way; with strong determination not to mov
牢固地
穩固地固定住，不移動不放棄地
in a firmly fixed or securely attached way; with strong determination not to move or change position.
The soldiers stood fast against the enemy attack all through the night.
士兵們整夜堅守陣地，抵抗敵軍的進攻。
stand fast — fixed phrase for physical or moral resistance
Hiro held fast to his dream of becoming a doctor despite the challenges.
Hiro 儘管面臨重重挑戰，仍牢牢抱著成為醫生的夢想。
hold fast to — figurative: keep believing in
The boat was stuck fast in the mud when the tide went out.
退潮時，那艘船深深卡在泥灘裡動彈不得。
Ife held fast to the railing as the train moved through the tunnel.
火車駛進隧道時，Ife 牢固地抓著扶手。
- loosely
not firmly; with slack or give
文法句型
hold + fast
stand + fast
stick + fast
用法筆記
This adverb sense appears in three main fixed phrases: 'hold fast' (physical grip or figurative commitment), 'stand fast' (refuse to change position or opinion), and 'stick fast' (physically unable to move). Unlike the 'quickly' adverb sense, this one cannot be used freely with other verbs.
常見錯誤
fast — 名詞
1. a stretch during which someone deliberately eats very little or nothing at all,
禁食期
一段不吃東西的時間
a stretch during which someone deliberately eats very little or nothing at all, often for religious, spiritual, health-related, or medical reasons.
During Ramadan, Muslims observe a daily fast from sunrise to sunset.
齋戒月期間，穆斯林每天從日出到日落遵守齋戒。
observe a fast — formal/religious use
Yasmin went on a three-day fast to help clean out her body.
Yasmin 進行了為期三天的禁食期，希望能清淨身體。
go on a fast — start a fasting period
Some people break their fast with a light meal of soup and bread.
有些人用清淡的湯和麵包來開齋。
The doctor warned that a long fast can be dangerous without drinking water.
醫生警告說，長時間禁食而不喝水可能會有危險。
文法句型
a + (number) + fast
break + one's + fast
go on + a + fast
用法筆記
Often used with the verbs 'observe', 'keep', 'break', and 'go on'. The word 'breakfast' literally means 'breaking the fast' after a night of sleep.
常見錯誤
fast — 動詞
1. to go without eating on purpose over a set stretch, typically for religious obse
禁食
自願一段時間不吃東西
to go without eating on purpose over a set stretch, typically for religious observance, health reasons, or medical preparation.
Cyrus fasts for sixteen hours every day as part of his diet plan.
Cyrus 每天禁食十六個小時，作為他的飲食計畫的一部分。
fast + for + duration
Many Christians fast during the season of Lent before Easter Sunday.
許多基督徒在大齋期期間禁食，直到復活節。
fast during + period (religious observance)
The patient had to fast for twelve hours before the blood test.
這名病人在抽血檢查前必須禁食十二個小時。
Mira felt dizzy after fasting for the whole day without drinking any water.
Mira 禁食了一整天又沒喝水，感到頭暈。
- feast
to eat a large, elaborate meal, often in celebration
文法句型
fast + for + period of time
fast + from + time + to + time
用法筆記
This verb is intransitive — you do not fast 'something'. You fast for a period of time or from a specific time. To describe what you avoid, use 'fast from + food/drink' (e.g., 'fast from meat').