C'était très rapide.

Hillary H.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

C'était très rapide.

Can we use "vite" instead of rapide?

Asked 4 years ago
D. A.B2Kwiziq community memberCorrect answer

I just recently had this question as well! After doing some research, it's my understanding that rapide is usually used as an adjective and vite is usually used as an adverb. So rapide would describe a noun, like "Le train est rapide," and vite would describe a verb, like "Il court vite."

Hillary H.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Thank you, Riley!
CélineNative French expert teacher in Kwiziq

 Bonjour Hillary,

A few more details following Riley’s very good explanation of the difference between ‘vite’ and ‘rapide’.

‘rapide’ is an adjective which describes the noun it refers to. It is placed after ‘être’ or after a noun

La moto est rapide = the bike is fast

La moto rapide = the fast bike

 

‘vite’ is an adverb and as such invariable. It is placed after a verb except for the verb ‘être’. You could replace ‘vite’ with ‘rapidement’ (another adverb)

Le véhicule roule / va vite = the vehicle goes fast

Le véhicule roule / va rapidement the vehicle goes fast / rapidly

 

You can find ‘vite’ as an adverb in expressions such as:

C’est vite fait it is done quickly / fast

Faire au plus vite = to make it fast

 

 

I hope this is helpful.

Bonne journée!

Hillary H.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Thank you very much, Céline!

That was very helpful!
G. W.C1Kwiziq community member

I would, but looked this up in the dictionary.  Rapide is an adjective, vite an adverb.  Therefore, rapide is probably the correct response. 

C'était très rapide.

Can we use "vite" instead of rapide?

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