時間就是金錢，

速度就是生產(chǎn)力

T

ime is life，” observed the renowned 20th-century writer， translator and educator Liang Shiqiu. “It is most startling to hear a watch or clock clicking away the seconds， each click indicating the shortening of ones life little by little.” For modern people， life is much like a battle against time. It seems that an invisible power urges us to do everything quicker， hastier， faster： more

“快” （ku3i， quick； fast； rapid； swift）.

The character is commonly used to describe speed. The frequently used term for “courier” is 快遞 （ku3id#） meaning “express delivery；” 快餐 （ku3ic`n） is “fast food；” and 快車 （ku3ich8） is an express train or bus. Meanwhile， 動作快 （d7ngzu7 ku3i） is to “act quickly” and 說話快 （shu4hu3 ku3i） means “fast talking.” Based on this， a quick worker is called 快手 （ku3ish6u）， literally translated as “fast hand”—its also the name of a popular live-streaming app （see feature， page 32）. For example： Liu is such a quick and neat worker that he is known as “Fast Hand Liu.” However， when it comes to 快嘴 （ku3izu@， fast mouth）， this isnt describing someones talking speed. Instead， it refers to people who voice their thoughts too readily， or have loose lips—in other words， a gossip.

You may also have heard people say 腦子快 （n2ozi ku3i， “the brain is fast”）. It means “quick-witted， clever， and nimble.” The term 眼疾手快 （y2nj！ sh6uku3i， literally， “quick of eye and deft of hand”） is often used to describe fast reflexes.

If you want to express that you are “doing something at top speed”， you can turn to the idiom 快馬加鞭 （ku3im2 ji`bi`n， spurring on the fast horse）. For example： 在這最后一個星期，我們要快馬加鞭，按期完成任務(wù)。（Z3i zh- zu#h7u y！ g- x～ngq～， w6men y3o ku3im2 ji`bi`n， 3nq～ w1nch9ng r-nw&. In the final week， we must “spur on the fast horse” and finish the project on time）.

In some other cases， 快 also indicates a future tense， meaning “soon” or “before long.” For example， you can say ： 我快要五十歲了。（W6 ku3iy3o w^sh！ su# le. I am about to be 50.）

Another meaning of 快 is “sharp； keen.” A sharp knife is 快刀 （ku3id`o）. A Chinese saying states that “快刀斬亂麻” （ku3id`o zh2n lu3nm1）， which can be translated as “cut a tangled skein of jute with a sharp knife.” This old-fangled pearl of wisdom means that one should be resolute and take prompt measures in order to solve a complex problem.

But 快 didnt always have these keen connotations. Its original meaning was “pleased， happy， satisfied.” As a pictophonetic character—where one component carries the meaning and another the sound—its radical

忄， a simplified version of 心 （x～n， heart）， indicates that 快 is an emotion-related word. Many two-character words containing 快 have this meaning， such as 快樂 （ku3il-， happy）， 快活 （ku3ihuo， jolly， merry， cheerful）， or 快感 （ku3ig2n， apleasant sensation or delight）. There is also the literary expression 快事 （ku3ish#）， meaning “an occurrence that gives great satisfaction or pleasure.” For instance， 他鄉(xiāng)遇故知，實乃人生一大快事?。═` xi`ng y& g&zh;～， sh！n2i r9nsh8ng y！ d3 ku3ish#！ It is such a delight in life to encounter an old friend in a distant land?。?/p>

In this meaning， being served a sneak peak or trailer of a film is 先睹為快 （xi`n d^ w9i ku3i， consider it a pleasure to be among the first to read or see）； hurting oneself will lead to 親痛仇快 （q～nt7ng ch5uku3i， sadden ones close friends and gladden ones enemies）； when virtue is rewarded it 大快人心 （d3ku3i r9nx～n， gladdens the peoples hearts）. The most interesting use of this exists in the word 快婿 （ku3ix&）. With 婿 （x&） meaning son-in-law， the word refers to an ideal match for ones daughter.

When the character is used to depict a personality， 快 means “straightforward， forthright， and plainspoken，” as seen in words like 爽快 （shu2ngkuai， straightforward and outspoken）.

Here we have the phrase 快人快語 （ku3ir9n ku3iy^）， meaning “straightforward talk from a straightforward person，” which is usually used to flatter people face-to-face： “您快人快語！跟您聊天真是痛快” （N！n ku3ir9n ku3iy^！ G8n n！n li1oti`n zh-nshi t7ngku3i！ You are such a straightforward person， talking straightforwardly！ Its such a pleasure to talk with you?。?/p>

Last but not least， sometimes 快 is also a noun. In ancient times， a sheriff was called

捕快 （b^ku3i）， referring to a constable who caught criminals. But this word is no longer used for policemen in modern society. What do people call the cops now？ Thats a lesson for another day.

- BY HUANG WEIJIA （黃偉嘉） AND SUN JIAHUI （孫佳慧）