(はやあし)

はやあし
noun
quick pace; brisk walk; fast walking
1. quick pace; brisk walk; fast walking
Walking at a faster-than-normal pace. Not running, but walking with purpose and speed. Used both literally for the physical pace and figuratively for doing things hastily.
早足(はやあし)(ある)く。
To walk at a brisk pace.
遅刻(ちこく)しそうなので早足(はやあし)会社(かいしゃ)()かった。
I was about to be late, so I walked quickly toward the office.
観光地(かんこうち)早足(はやあし)(まわ)ったので、あまり(たの)しめなかった。
We rushed through the tourist spots, so we didn't really enjoy them.

Describes walking faster than usual, with purpose or urgency. Can also be used figuratively to describe rushing through an activity without taking time to appreciate it.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 早足(はやあし)(ある)く: to walk briskly
  • 早足(はやあし)(とお)()ぎる: to walk past quickly
  • 早足(はやあし)(まわ)る: to rush through (a place)
  • 早足(はやあし)になる: to quicken one's pace

USAGE:
Usually used with the particle で as an adverbial expression. The figurative use (早足(はやあし)(まわ)る, to rush through) implies that something was done too quickly and superficially.

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 小走(こばし)り: trot, light jog — faster than 早足(はやあし); actually running with short steps
  • ()(あし): running, double-time — a full run
  • 足早(あしばや): quick-footed — same meaning, different word order; slightly more literary