kuài

Kuài is a Chinese word with multiple meanings, most commonly translating to "fast" or "quick" when used as an adjective or adverb. It can describe actions, movements, or processes that are completed in a short amount of time. For example, "kuài diǎn" means "quickly" or "hurry up." In a different context, kuài can also refer to a unit of currency in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong dollar, which is often colloquially referred to as "kuài" in everyday conversation. This usage is similar to how "buck" is used for the US dollar in English.

Beyond speed and currency, kuài can also describe something as "sharp" or "steep" depending on the context and accompanying characters. For instance, when describing a slope, "kuài" can indicate it is very steep. It can also refer to a chopstick, as in the utensil used for eating. The specific meaning is usually discernible from the surrounding words and the overall sentence structure. The versatility of "kuài" makes it a fundamental word in the Mandarin language, appearing in a wide range of expressions and phrases.