First of all, it is important to note that VITE and RAPIDE are often used to describe something that moves or is done quickly. However, there is a key difference between the two, and that's what we'll explore together.

 

What does RAPIDE mean?

RAPIDE is an adjective, which means it describes a noun.
 

RAPIDE is used to describe something or someone who possesses great speed, or a process or action that takes place quickly
 

For example, if I want to say that someone runs very fast, I could say: "Il est RAPIDE."
 

Or, if I'm talking about a car that moves quickly, I could say: "Cette voiture est RAPIDE."
 

If I want to say that someone learns quickly, I could say: "C’est un apprenant RAPIDE."
 

 

 

What does VITE mean?

VITE is a adverb, which means it describes a verb, an adjective, or another adverb.
 

VITE indicates a significant speed in how something is done or occurs.
 

For example, if I want to say that I finish my work quickly, I could say: "Je travaille VITE." Or, if I'm talking about someone who speaks quickly, I could say: "Elle parle VITE."
 

 

 

What is the difference between VITE and RAPIDE?

RAPIDE is an adjective and VITE is an adverb. RAPIDE describes a noun, while VITE describes a verb, an adjective, or another adverb.
 

To differentiate VITE and RAPIDE, remember that you can replace VITE with RAPIDEMENT. And not with RAPIDE.
 

 

Il conduit vite = Il conduit rapidement
 

 

Another tip, it is not possible to use VITE with the verb ÊTRE.
 

It is not possible to say : ❌ Le train est vite. NON !
 

You should say: ✅ Le train est rapide.
 

 

Let's look at some examples to better understand how to use them.
 

Example 1 :

If I want to say that my friend runs quickly, I can say:
 

"Mon ami court VITE." Here, VITE describes how my friend runs, so I use it as an adverb.
 

OR
 

"Mon ami est un coureur RAPIDE", here I describe a noun.
 

 

Example 2 :

If I want to talk about an animal that moves quickly, I can say: "Le guépard est un animal RAPIDE." In this case, RAPIDE describes the animal, so I use it as an adjective.
 

OR
 

"Le guépard se déplace VITE", here I describe the verb.
 

 

Example 3 :

Imagine that you need to finish a project quickly.
 

You could say: "Je dois finir ce projet VITE." Here, VITE describes how you have to finish the project, so you use it as an adverb.
 

OR
 

 

"Je dois être RAPIDE, car je dois finir ce projet", here I use the adjective RAPIDE with the verb ÊTRE.
 

 

Example 4 :

If you want to talk about a delivery service that delivers parcels quickly, you could say: "Ce service de livraison est RAPIDE." In this case, RAPIDE describes the delivery service, so you use it as an adjective.
 

OR
 

"Ce service de livraison livre vite les colis.", here I describe the verb.

 


 

In conclusion on VITE and RAPIDE :

In conclusion, it is important to remember that RAPIDE is an adjective that describes a noun, while VITE is an adverb that describes how something is done or happens. VITE describes an action.
 

Although both words are often used to describe speed or quickness, they are not interchangeable.
 

 

 

Exercices en français sur "VITE" et "RAPIDE" :