Meaning
敏捷 describes someone or something that moves or responds with speed, grace, and coordination. It emphasizes both physical quickness and mental alertness, suggesting the ability to react rapidly and efficiently to changing situations.
Usage
Commonly used to describe physical movement (like athletes or animals) as well as mental processes (quick thinking, fast reflexes). Often appears in formal or written contexts, though also used in everyday speech when praising someone's speed or coordination. Frequently collocates with 动作 (movements) and 反应 (reactions).
Examples
- 01那只猫动作敏捷，一下子就抓住了老鼠。, .That cat was so agile that it caught the mouse in an instant.
- 02运动员需要反应敏捷才能在比赛中取得好成绩。.Athletes need quick reactions to achieve good results in competitions.
Characters
Common collocations
- 动作敏捷agile movements
- 反应敏捷quick reaction
- 身手敏捷nimble and skilled
- 思维敏捷quick thinking
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters relate to quickness: 敏 originally depicted alertness and sensitivity, while 捷 combines the hand radical with a component suggesting rapid action, originally meaning to achieve victory quickly.