1.
super express train; ultra-fast train
A train service faster than a regular express. Originally referred to the first Shinkansen services.
超特急で東京に向かった。
I headed to Tokyo on the super express.
新幹線は超特急として開業した。
The Shinkansen was launched as a super express service.
この電車は超特急だから途中停車が少ない。
This train is a super express, so it makes few intermediate stops.
2.
at top speed; in a huge rush; extremely fast
Used figuratively to describe doing something at maximum speed or completing a task in an extremely short time.
超特急で仕上げてください。
Please finish it at top speed.
締め切りが近いので超特急で作業した。
The deadline was close, so I worked at top speed.
超特急で企画書をまとめたので、内容に不安が残る。
I put together the proposal at breakneck speed, so I'm still uneasy about the content.
Composed of 超 (super, ultra) + 特急 (limited express). Originally a railway term for trains faster than 特急, notably the first Shinkansen in 1964. Now commonly used figuratively to mean doing something extremely fast.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 超特急で仕上げる: to finish at top speed
- 超特急で対応する: to respond at maximum speed
- 超特急で届ける: to deliver at top speed
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 特急: limited express — the standard fast train service; also used figuratively but with less intensity
- 急行: express — slower than 特急
- 大至急: extremely urgent — similar figurative meaning but focused on urgency rather than speed